• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Edmonton Oilers

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Returns to the Oilers Line-up

By Marcy Di Michele October 6th, 2013

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

It’s only been two games. It’s best to reserve judgement on a team until at least a couple of weeks into the season, and even then, there’s still a long way to go. The Oilers have a new coach. They have a number of new faces in the lineup. New guys are looking to form chemistry, and everyone trying to learn a new system. It takes time to come together. Injuries threw a wrench into the plans, as the Oilers top two centers, Sam Gagner and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, started the year in the press box. One of the best up and coming left wingers in the league, Taylor Hall, was forced to play center to fill the void. Thankfully on Monday, things will start to look a little more normal.

Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle

(Dustin Bradford/Icon SMI)

 

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who had been rehabbing from off-season shoulder surgery, will make his return to game-action against the New Jersey Devils tomorrow. The Oilers played well to start their season against the Jets, but let their foot off the gas and lost the game in the third period. Last night against Vancouver was pretty ugly from start to finish, as Edmonton dropped a 6-2 decision to their division rivals. A lot of teams have new coaches and new players. A lot of teams already have key injuries. Neither can be seen as excuse. No other team in the league is going to cut the Oilers some slack. The return of RNH will be a huge boost, but will it be enough?

The NHL regular season schedule was released on Friday. Check out our partners at TiqIQ for the best deals on Edmonton Oilers tickets for all 2013-14 games.

Coaches Corner

The Oilers have allowed 11 goals through two games. Devan Dubnyk has been in the net for all of those goals. The teams’ run-and-gun style over the past few seasons may be exciting to watch, but they’ve been a defensive disaster. So far, not much has changed. According to head coach Dallas Eakins the team is “confusing him right now by showing flashes of good, but then reverting to old habits at times”.

“The city and the fans should be angry, as angry as we are. It’s great that they care. Our team is upset too. If you’re not going to compete like every shift is your last, you’re not going to win. That was very evident tonight.” (Twitter)

Eakins confirmed that the Taylor Hall experiment at center would be over for now, though he felt that “Hall’s faceoff success during his time at centre is a nice luxury to have. He and RNH can trade off if need be”. The coach also had some positives things to say about veteran Ales Hemsky. “He’s been unbelievable. We need more Ales Hemsky’s on our team right now. He’s playing with tremendous passion”. Must be nice for a guy who was on the trading block all summer to earn praise some praise.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

(Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)

The Return of Nugent-Hopkins

Fresh off of signing a new, long-term contract, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins feels 100% healthy and ready to go. He’s excited to get back in the lineup, though fans should be cautious not to see him as a savior for the team’s woes. RNH is committed to playing a strong two-way game, so his presence might be an improvement defensively after-all, but as Eakins eluded too, there are some bad habits with this team that are  going to be hard to break. Gagner won’t be back for a while longer, and despite some scoring contributions from guys like Boyd Gordon and Jesse Joensuu, the scoring might not be balanced with the kid line of RNH, Hall and Jordan Eberle being reunited. Nail Yakupov has no points so far and is a -3. He was benched late in the game against Winnipeg after some miscues. David Perron had a strong pre-season but is sitting on just one assist so far.

On the Defence 

It’s so early in the season. That can’t be stressed enough. Guys like Perron and Yakupov will find their game. Dubnyk will bounce back. The playoffs aren’t made or missed in the first week of the year. The biggest concern in Edmonton are the defensive struggles that still remain despite the more structured approach of Dallas Eakins. The problems that have plagued this team in years past are still very much present. Perhaps with more time under Eakins, this Oilers squad will learn how to play consistent team defense. Maybe at this time next month, we’ll see a big difference.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a very welcomed return. But he can’t fix the problems on his own. There are a lot of guys in this lineup who have to take their game to the next level. And their time is now.

  • Tags
  • Ales Hemsky
  • Boyd Gordon
  • Jesse Joensuu
  • Nail Yakupov
  • Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
  • Taylor Hall
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 22nd 2:40 PM
Archives

Tomas Holmstrom’s Subtle Brilliance

Jan 22nd 2:30 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Keefe Coy About Lines With Matthews & Thornton Out [Video]

Jan 22nd 1:35 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues’ Special Teams Highlight Early Weaknesses

Jan 22nd 1:25 PM
Commentary

NHL’s 2020-21 Baseball-Style Schedule: Could it Work Permanently?

Jan 22nd 1:15 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Have 3 Good Trade Targets to Shore Up Their Defense

Jan 22nd 11:37 AM
Archives

50 in 50 for Mike Bossy

Jan 22nd 11:25 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Caufield, Dobes, Power & More

Jan 22nd 11:15 AM
Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars Road Schedule Ravaged By COVID-19

Jan 22nd 10:55 AM
College Hockey

College Hockey Report: Riley vs. Riley, Family Members Faceoff Behind the Bench

Jan 22nd 10:45 AM
Nashville Predators

Predators: 3 Early Observations From the Young Season

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information