Nugent-Hopkins Suggests New Role Change Could Benefit His Overall Offense

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will return for the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes and try to win their third game in a row and go 2-0 on this current five-game homestand. It's a welcome return for the Oilers, seeing as Nugent-Hopkins is a big piece of their overall game structure and his setback a day ahead of the regular season was an unexpected blow. 

Head coach Mike Babcock is excited to have one his leaders back and Nugent-Hopkins will be slotted in as a second-line center and popped right back onto the top power play unit. Where he won't be used is the penalty kill. 

He was asked about the changing role and if it might benefit him in the long run and when it comes to his overall offense. 

This could be about getting up to game shape, but this mighth be a long-term plan. When asked if there was a benefit to the extra rest and how it might impact his game, Nugent-Hopkins responded, "Yeah, especially the way this PK, our PK is playing now. It's aggressive it's on your toes, it's fast. I think it leaves something in the tank there. if you're not out there."

He added that there are so many good players on the penalty kill in the Edmonton that he understands the decision. "We've got so many guys that can really skate and read the situations well.. . obviously, we're getting used to it still. It's a new system and we're just getting the hang of it. You saw it last game, how hard it is to play against. And that's a good PP (power play) that we played against." He noted that the group now is working. 

"You just don't give them any life, you don't give them any time. It's hard to make plays."

This isn't to say that Nugent-Hopkins can't play well in that role. Zach Hyman was asked what it's like having Nugent-Hopkins back. "It's awesome. You always know what you're gonna get, he's consistent, steady in both ends of the ice." That's very true. Still, the way the penalty kill is constructed, and the requirements the system demands, means a lot more pressure on a 33-year-old than on someone 5-10 years younger. 

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