Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been called out by the media
The highly anticipated NHL regular season is right around the corner, and it's time for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to hop in the drivers seat.
But with the season opener against the Winnipeg Jets right around the corner, a conversation has started regarding the team needing Nugent-Hopkins to contribute to the team more offensively. For the Oilers to get over the Stanley Cup hump, RNH has to become that 100 point players we saw back in 2022-23.
According to The Hockey Writers, some Oilers fans might be surprised that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is being called out, but he has high expectations to produce, especially playing on a line with Connor McDavid. Other than his 104-point anomaly campaign in 2022-23, he has yet to reach 70 points in a single season. He registered 67 points last season, but only 38 at even strength. The boys over at the Hockey Writers think that RNH must get his game going.
Yes, his current linemate, Zach Hyman, scored 54 goals last season, but sometimes change is needed to get other guys going. A second line of Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl, and Arvidsson could provide a spark. Nugent-Hopkins could use a change of pace and different linemates in hopes of improving his game at even strength. If he's firing on all cylinders, the Oilers are a more dangerous team. The 2011 first-overall pick needs to step up
I think it's pretty safe to say that the Oilers fan base are quite fond of RNH. Much of the debate a few years back was the idea of keeping "NUGE FOREVER" but the team will need him to be the 1st rounder he was destined to be. Regardless, if the Oilers want to get back into the Stanley Cup Final, RNH will need to put up at least 20+ goals.
Do you agree? Awnser Our Oilers Insider poll to have your say!
| POLL | ||
Will Ryan Nugent-Hopkins score more than 30+ goals? | ||
| Yes | 98 | 72.1 % |
| No | 38 | 27.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
