The Edmonton Oilers are a better team with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the roster and should never consider trading him.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (RNH) has spent his entire 12 year career with the Edmonton Oilers. The 1st overall draft pick from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft has become a fan favorite in addition to being the longest serving Oiler presently on the team.

Recently there is speculation that the Boston Bruins are interested in RNH's services. Despite this interest, the Oilers should not consider any trade involving him, with only one very unique exception.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Is Committed to the Oilers

There is no other team that RNH would rather play for. After his entry level contract expired he signed a seven year $6 million per year deal. That contract ran it's course and he followed it up with an eight year deal worth $5.125 million per year. To this day he is two years into that eight year deal. Shortly after signing the deal RNH said that he wanted to "find a way to stay in Edmonton" and not become a free agent.

Related: 5 Best Ken Holland Trades as Oilers GM

He is the only player left from the Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Oscar Klefbom core of the 2010's. He endured the "decade of darkness" and still wants to be with the organization and play in Edmonton. That speaks volumes to his character and commitment to the organization.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Is A Versatile Player

RNH is used in every situation for the Oilers. He is on the power play and penalty kill while also playing prominent minutes at even strength. In 2022-23 he averaged 3:52 on the power play and 1:52 on the penalty kill. In addition to the time he spends on the ice, where he spends that time is also varied. He is a natural center, but often skates as a winger on a line with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers have the option to run McDavid, Draisaitl and RNH all on separate lines to create tough matchups for the opposing team.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Just Had A Career Year

In the 2022-23 season RNH crossed the 100 point threshold for the first time in his career. Finishing with 104 points, 37 goals, and 67 assists were career highs in all three categories. His previous career highs were 69 points, 28 goals and 41 assists (all in 2018-19). He finished with the best points per game (p/gp) pace of his career in 2022-23 with 1.27 p/gp. 

RNH is only 30 years old and should not see major regression in his production for a few more years. Playing with Draisaitl and McDavid should also prolong his productive years. The only scenario I could see the Oilers trading their longest serving player is when he's at the end of his career and the Oilers haven't won a Stanley Cup. Trading him to a Cup Contender for one last kick at the can would be the least that the organization could do for RNH.