Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Will Return Thursday For the Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers head coach Mike Babcock revealed that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will return to the lineup Thursday night as the Oilers take on the Carolina Hurricanes. 

He noted that it will allow the Oilers to spread out their center depth a bit more, so it will be interesting to see if he keeps Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together, or if he continues with that top line, where Nugent-Hopkins will slot in. 

The Oilers are getting players back, which means the depth of the Oilers will allow the top guys a chance to breathe a bit more. McDavid played 25:31 on Tuesday, and Draisaitl 24:06.