Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on fire to start new season – Hockey Writer – Edmonton Oilers

There are some feel-good stories as the Edmonton Oilers start the 2025-26 NHL season, but none more important than the resurgence of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. At 32, Ole’s longest-tenured player is off to one of his best starts in years, reminding fans and teammates why he remains one of the team’s most reliable and respected players.

Nugent-Hopkins has 10 points through the first nine games, ranking second on the team in scoring behind Connor McDavid (11 points). This performance also places him currently among the top 50 scorers in the NHL, an impressive feat for a player who some thought might be entering the twilight of his career. Instead, he’s proving that his combination of intelligence, consistency and quiet competitiveness can still translate into elite production.

After scoring 67 points in 2023-24 and just 49 points last season, many are wondering if his 104-point explosion in the 2022-23 NHL season was just a one-off. But in the first few weeks of the 2025-26 season, Nugent-Hopkins showed he can still drive the offense, play responsibly on his own end and make a difference when the Oilers need it most.

Making up for the absence of Zach Hyman

The Oilers have had a mixed start to the season, hovering around .500 entering the Pacific Division road trip, losing 3-2 to the Seattle Kraken on October 25 and the Vancouver Canucks on October 26. While the team didn’t dominate, they didn’t stumble out of the gate like they had in the previous two seasons. Much of that consistency is due to Nugent-Hopkins’ timely scoring and veteran performance. His early performance is especially important with Zach Hyman still recovering from a wrist injury suffered in last spring’s Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars. Hyman’s energy and net presence will be hard to replace, but Nugent-Hopkins has stepped up to help fill the offensive void and stabilize Edmonton’s front six.

When Heyman returns, it may take him time to find his rhythm again. Former Oiler Evander Kane experienced a similar setback after a wrist injury, and it took weeks for his shooting and timing to return, though he never really regained his strong scoring touch. That’s why Nugent-Hopkins’ strong start is so important – he keeps the Oilers competitive and dangerous offensively during a stretch when secondary scoring is crucial. If Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins can work together, the Oilers can regain their offensive depth and once again become one of the league’s most potent offenses.

Path to 1,000 Career Points

For Nugent-Hopkins, this season isn’t just about sustaining his production, it’s about building his legacy. He reached the 700-point milestone early in the 2024-25 season and currently stands at 758 career points. Given that his current contract runs through the 2028-29 season, he has a good chance of hitting the 1,000-point plateau, an achievement that would place him among the greatest players in Oilers history.

RELATED: Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scores NHL-record 700th point

To reach that milestone, he would need to average around 60 points per season over the next four seasons — a pace that seems achievable given his consistency and ability to adapt to games. Nugent-Hopkins has never relied solely on speed or flash; instead, his success has come from hockey intelligence, positioning, and game vision—traits that will show up gracefully with age. Tying his career-high 104 points in 2022-23 might be an ambitious goal, but it’s not impossible if he stays healthy and continues his current momentum. Even if he doesn’t reach those numbers, a 70-80 point season would be a huge success and a valuable contribution to a team built on offensive depth and special teams strength.

Fan favorite and locker room centerpiece

While those scores speak for themselves, Nugent-Hopkins’ true value to the Oilers goes far beyond the score sheet. He’s long been a fan favorite — not because he’s the loudest or flashiest, but because he embodies everything Edmonton fans love: hard work, humility and loyalty. Since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2011, Nugent-Hopkins has been through every chapter of the Oilers’ modern history — from the rebuilding years and the draft lottery to the rise of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and the current push for the Stanley Cup.

Throughout, he has been a steady presence, a quiet leader and a model teammate. In the locker room, he was known for his professionalism and calm demeanor. On the ice, he plays honestly and hard every night. The fact that coaches trust him in all situations — the power play, the shootout and late-game defensive assignments — is a testament to his versatility and hockey IQ. To fans, he represents continuity and hope, the link between the Oilers’ past struggles and their current pursuit of greatness.

age is just a number

At 32 years old, Nugent-Hopkins is proving that age doesn’t necessarily determine a player’s effectiveness. While some veterans begin to decline, his game has aged gracefully. His skating is still smooth, his offense is sharp, and his defense reads are better than ever. He has adapted to a league that is increasingly faster and more skilled, emphasizing intelligence, anticipation and positioning — all hallmarks of his game.
He may not score 100 points in a season again, but that’s not the only measure of his impact. His consistency, leadership and ability to lift his teammates are priceless assets for a club with championship aspirations.

Bottom line: “Yes, Ryan still gets it”

In a season where the Oilers look to build on their 2025 Stanley Cup Final run, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ resurgence is both reassuring and encouraging. He excelled offensively and led by example, proving once again that he remains one of the most complete two-way forwards in hockey.
Will he hit 100 points again? Maybe not.

But if he stays healthy and maintains this pace, a 90-point season isn’t out of the question — which would be a remarkable accomplishment for a player in his 14th NHL season.

For now, Oilers fans can take pride in seeing one of their longest-serving and most popular players continue to shine. As far as early-season stories go, Nugent-Hopkins turning back the clock might be Edmonton’s best story.