THN.com/podcast. From THN On The 'O': Shane Wright Discusses 'Crazy' Season So Far Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk1MDAwODg3MTI1NDg1Mjgy/usatsi_19692140.jpg] It may be hard to believe, but Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is in his 12th NHL season, and he looks like he hasn't aged a bit. Father Time waits for no one, but his 12th campaign is still on pace to be his best in orange and blue. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2011 NHL draft has had quite the journey during his time in Edmonton. The start of the season has him not only among the top three in Oilers scoring, but he currently sits 13th in NHL scoring with 54 points and has the third most points in the NHL among Canadian-born players. Nugent-Hopkins is projected to reach 94 points at this pace, which would be a new career high by 25 points. With Connor McDavid on pace to reach 90 points before the All-Star Game and Leon Draisaitl also on a crazy rate, this season could mark the first time since 1988-89 that the Oilers have three 90-point players. But like his two teammates, 'Nuge' is focused on something else. "I try to contribute in any area I can," Nugent-Hopkins said. "When it comes to points scored, I don't try to worry too much. Obviously, our goal is to win. and whatever I need to do to help us get the results is what I'm going to do. The other stuff comes after that." When you dig further into Nugent-Hopkins' numbers, you'll see he's put up 13 points in his last 11 games and has recorded 14 multi-point games this season. He also has the third-highest shooting percentage on the team at 19.1 percent and generated the fourth most individual high-danger chances in all situations for the Oilers with 57, according to Natural Stat Trick [https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20222023&thruseason=20222023&stype=2&sit=all&score=all&stdoi=std&rate=n&team=EDM&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=gpdate&fd=&td=2023-01-20&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL]. On and off the ice, Nugent-Hopkins has evolved to become a leader on this team. It's been a transition he said only hit him once he started seeing the age gaps with some teammates. "It's a transition that happens that sometimes you don't even realize is happening," said Nugent-Hopkins. "All of a sudden, you're looking down the roster, and you look down the room, and there's a 20-year-old that you're nine, 10 years older than." The younger faces in the Oilers' locker room found ways to make their impact on the roster. Dylan Holloway, Ryan McLeod and Evan Bouchard have continued to step up when called upon. "We have some really good young players that want to win and want to get better and can make a big impact on this team," he said. "As an older guy, it's our job to lead the way for them." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk1MzA1NzYzNzY4NDQ0NjAz/usatsi_19719756-1.jpg] Darnell Nurse is one of the faces who's had the chance to see Nugent-Hopkins' impact since the Oilers drafted the blueliner in 2013. "He comes in every day and plays the game the right way, presents himself the right way," Nurse said. "He's been a great leader since I've been here. Someone who's always got a good pulse of everyone in the room and has great relationships with everyone, and it shows on the ice." As much as Nugent-Hopkins continues to be one of the club's leaders, one thing that hasn't changed is his youthful look. Take a look at his pictures from 2011 to the present, and you'll wonder about his secret to beating the aging curve. The perpetual youthful look is something that even his teammates have wondered about, as Nurse might inquire about what he's using to keep his skin fresh. "I need to get some of his lotion or whatever he's using – it's pretty impressive," Nurse said. The two biggest faces on this Oilers roster are still McDavid and Draisaitl. But don't be surprised if Nugent-Hopkins remains in the top 15 of NHL scoring by the end of the season and helps spread out Edmonton's scoring attack during the key games.
