Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' Oilers Season Debut Starts 'Critical Experiment'

The Edmonton Oilers host the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night in a heavyweight battle of two of the best teams in hockey this season. The game should be a great barometer for the Oilers on how real this start is for them.

But it will also mark the beginning of a 'critical experiment' for the team, per Ryan Rishaug of TSN. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will make his season debut in this one, having missed the first nine games of the 2026–27 season after suffering a lower-body injury during a practice on September 28, just before opening night. 

What makes it so critical is that RNH will slot in as the second-line center after mostly serving on the wing in recent seasons. And as Rishaug explains, if Nugent-Hopkins has a successful run in the pivot, it will allow the greatest one-two punch in hockey to remain intact for head coach Mike Babcock. And that can only be a good thing for the Oilers. 

It's a critical experiment that Babcock has on the go. Because if Nugent-Hopkins can prove offensively and quality of play-wise that he can drive the second line from center (Kasperi Kapanen on one wing, Zach Hyman on the other), that will allow Babcock to keep Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together more often. And that is working spectacularly this season. 

McDavid / Draisaitl combo is tearing the league to shreds this season

Rishaug then quoted some astounding numbers that prove how crucial that pairing has been for Edmonton:

When McDavid and Draisaitl are on the ice together this season, the Oil have 15 goals for and just 3 against in 122 minutes. "Dominant in a way that we have not seen before."

But Rishaug adds that this will be a real challenge for the 33-year-old RNH. 

"Babcock commands a fast, hard-charging style of play, but Nugent-Hopkins by nature is a little more cerebral. He knows he's got to get his pace of play up, and he's missed considerable time (nine games)."

The rest of the NHL is probably hoping that The Nuge can't do it, however. McDavid is making mincemeat of defenses everywhere, with scoring numbers that haven't been seen in the league in decades. 26 points in nine games, with a +17 rating. 

Draisaitl has been no slouch himself. Eight goals and 16 points in nine games, with a +13. 

The league is watching you, RNH.