Edmonton Oilers: What Nugent-Hopkins' Impressive Play Means

Coming into this season, the Edmonton Oilers main objective is to change. Not just the culture, but their winning habits, overall performance and consistency.

A key to this is getting the players to buy in, and from observations of the team before training camp, one player is making a big push: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a stand out player so far in the World Cup of Hockey, and looks to be getting his groove back.

While this is a great sign, especially given the Oilers’ lack of success when it comes to the development of first-overall picks, it can mean a variety of different instances for the team, and for Nuge himself.

The Oilers have definite centre depth

With Nugent-Hopkins providing offense, push and outstanding two-way play so far in the WCH tourney, it is easy to get excited. He is making big plays down the fly, using speed and stickhandling to get the puck to the back of the net.

As he competes with Leon Draisaitl for the second-line centre spot on the top six, it looks like the Oilers don’t have to worry about having a strong offensive line after the first, led by Connor McDavid.

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The Oilers will get better if Nugent-Hopkins is improving

If Nugent-Hopkins is making a push, it means that he is working to change himself in order to translate change over to the Oilers. As he does everything in his power to learn to improve his play and further is skill-set down the road, it makes not only him a better player, but the Oilers a better team.

The best thing a player can do is buy into the system. This is how the Washington Capitals succeed; each of their players buys into Barry Trotz’ system, and because of it, they work together toward the common goal and are one of the top NHL contenders year after year.

What it boils down to is whether or not the players put in the work, and with Nugent-Hopkins stepping up to the plate to prove he is ready to take his game to the next level, the Oilers are in for a positive change.

It makes Nugent-Hopkins more expendable

This is the downside to his performance. While Nugent-Hopkins is proving himself and making a statement, he is also upping his trade value. A multitude of Oilers fans brought up this interesting point, and when you think about it, it makes sense.

The Oilers may be fine now when it comes to salary, but when it comes time to re-sign McDavid, Draisaitl and even Darnell Nurse, they will be strapped for money. The addition of Milan Lucic and Adam Larsson takes up over $10 million in cap space. Not to mention, they pay Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle $6 million AAV, and in all, four players take up around $22 million.

Given that Edmonton cannot possibly keep all of these players long-term, one of them is going to have to go, and the biggest return they can get is by trading Nugent-Hopkins. And if he is truly showing upside and skillset it only ups his trade value and makes it easier to get rid of him. With Draisaitl and Drake Caggiula waiting in the wings, as well as the multitude of available free agent centres, it is easier to trade Nugent-Hopkins.

The Oilers Should Hang Onto Nuge

My take is that the Oilers have a gem of a player in Baby Nuge. He’s an excellent two-way player and a cornerstone member of the team, as well as one of the most underrated centres. If he is showing improvement, then there is no reason the Oilers should be in any rush to trade him. Nugent-Hopkins will likely start the season as the second-line centre, and since Draisaitl is not even a proven C yet, there’s no reason to worry about his demotion.

Next: Edmonton Oilers Bring Back Eric Gryba

Edmonton should be so fortunate to have strong centre depth, and that is not something that comes easy. It is understandable that defense is the more necessary need, but the Oilers already made a trade that took away a lot of their scoring for a right-hand shot. It’s not time to overpay and get rid of another offensive catalyst. At least not yet.

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