The Oilers’ Swiss Army Knife: Nugent-Hopkins Matters More Than You Think
The Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (RNH) is closing in on 1,000 NHL games, and if you listen to Darnell Nurse talk about him, you get the sense that this milestone isn’t really about numbers. It’s about trust. About habits. About the kind of player every team needs but rarely celebrates loudly.
Nurse Called RNH the Oilers’ Swiss Army Knife
Nurse didn’t hesitate when asked about Nugent-Hopkins. He called him a “Swiss Army knife,” and that pretty much sums it up. Power play, penalty kill, five-on-five, late defensive zone draws — Nugent-Hopkins is there. Always has been. He’s the guy coaches lean on when things get messy, not because he demands the puck, but because he does the right thing with it.
What stood out most in Nurse’s comments wasn’t even the on-ice stuff. It was the off-ice picture. Nugent-Hopkins is the guy checking in on teammates, helping people get settled, handling the small details that make a room feel like a room, not just a workplace. He picks the music and sends texts to make sure people are okay. Those things don’t show up on the stat sheet, but they matter — especially over an 82-game grind.
And the thing is, Nugent-Hopkins is still producing. Over the last little stretch, he’s chipped in four goals and added two assists in four games. On the season, he’s sitting at 11 goals and 31 points through 29 games. That’s a steady, valuable addition of offence. It’s dependable, which is exactly what Edmonton needs behind its stars.
Nugent-Hopkins Is Closing in on 1,000 NHL Games
Nearly 1,000 games in, Nugent-Hopkins has 785 points and a reputation that might matter even more than that total. He’s been through coaching changes, roster overhauls, and plenty of tough seasons. He’s adapted without complaint. Different roles, different expectations, but he’s the same player he always was.
Nurses’ praise says a lot. Nugent-Hopkins is a player who knows how to actually hold things together. He’s not the most significant contract, but he’s the guy who shows up the same way every night.
As Nugent-Hopkins approaches that 1,000-game mark, it’s worth remembering this: not every cornerstone looks like one. Some just quietly keep the whole thing standing. RNH is one of them for the Oilers.