Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has never been the flashiest player on the Edmonton Oilers. Surrounded by superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, he often flies under the radar. But this season, the quiet veteran is set to carve his name deeper into Oilers history.
Climbing the Games Played List
Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, has already given Edmonton 14 seasons of loyalty and consistency. Now, he’s on the verge of passing Ryan Smyth’s mark of 971 games played with the Oilers. That would move him into second place in franchise history, behind only Kevin Lowe’s 1,037.
If he stays healthy and plays 79 games this year, Nugent-Hopkins could surpass Lowe and become Edmonton’s all-time leader in games played. He’s also just 41 games away from 1,000 — which would make him only the second player in Oilers history to reach 1,000 games with the franchise.
Chasing Down the Goal Leaders
Offensively, Nugent-Hopkins continues to rise in the record books. He currently sits 8th all-time with 271 goals. Smyth is within striking distance again, at 296. If Nugent-Hopkins keeps up his steady scoring pace, he could surpass Smyth before long and push toward the top five.
He needs only 29 more goals to hit the 300-goal milestone.
Playmaking Legacy
While his goal totals are impressive, Nugent-Hopkins has always been known as a playmaker. With 477 assists, he ranks 7th in Oilers history, just 12 shy of Glenn Anderson (489). By the end of the season, he could move into the company of legends like Messier, Gretzky, and Kurri in the franchise’s assist rankings. Add it all up, and his 748 career points already put him 7th all-time in Edmonton scoring.
Milestones Within Reach
- 23 assists to reach 500 — would be the 6th Oiler ever at that mark.
- 52 points to reach 800 — would become the 7th Oiler to do it.
Career Year Changed Everything
For much of his career, Nugent-Hopkins was viewed as a solid two-way forward who could chip in offensively. But in 2022–23, he delivered the kind of season no one expected — 104 points (37 G, 67 A). It was a breakout year that reminded everyone just how skilled he really is, even while playing behind two of the league’s biggest stars.
Playoff Contributions
In 96 career playoff games, Nugent-Hopkins has produced 81 points. He has been a consistent contributor during Edmonton’s recent playoff pushes, offering the kind of secondary scoring every Stanley Cup contender needs.
Evolution on the Wing
Originally drafted as a center, Nugent-Hopkins has become a more complete player since moving to wing. Over his last six seasons, he’s had just one negative plus/minus year — a modest -4 in 2020–21 — reflecting stronger two-way results and deployment.
Last Season’s Dip — And the Bounce-Back Case
Last season brought a drop of 18 points from his career year. Under the hood, his total shot attempts (TSA) fell from 396 to 293, and his power-play points dropped by seven. The volume wasn’t there — and the production followed (hockey-reference.com).
Even so, the outlook is positive. At 32 years old, with four years left on a team-friendly $5.1M AAV, Nugent-Hopkins is well-positioned to rebound. Expect him to crack 20 goals and 50 points again if he simply restores shot volume and reclaims his usual PP touch.
The Heart of the Oilers
Nugent-Hopkins may never have the highlight reels of McDavid or the pure power of Draisaitl, but his impact is undeniable. Fourteen years after being drafted first overall, he’s now one of the franchise’s longest-serving players, a steady presence through both lean years and championship aspirations.
This season, as he climbs past Smyth and Anderson in multiple categories — and pushes toward historic marks in games, assists, and points — Nugent-Hopkins is proving he belongs in the conversation as one of the most important Oilers of the modern era.