Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 2025-26 Oilers season start shines as veteran center leads the way

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 2025-26 Oilers season start production exceeds expectations

The numbers tell a compelling story about Nugent-Hopkins’ explosive beginning to the 2025-26 campaign. Through his first 10 games, he has accumulated 11 points with five goals and six assists, placing him among the top 50 scorers in the NHL. More impressively, he currently sits second on the Oilers in scoring, trailing only Connor McDavid, who has emerged as the team’s leading point producer once again.

This level of production represents a dramatic improvement over his recent seasons. After posting just 49 points during the 2024-25 campaign, many wondered if Nugent-Hopkins’ 104-point explosion in 2022-23 was merely an anomaly fueled by playing alongside McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at their absolute peak. His 67-point total in 2023-24 suggested he remained a solid contributor, but the subsequent drop-off raised legitimate concerns about his trajectory.

Now, Nugent-Hopkins is proving that he still possesses the offensive capabilities that have defined his 14-year NHL career. His five power-play points through the early going demonstrate his continued effectiveness with the man advantage, an area where his vision and playmaking abilities have always shined. Against the Montreal Canadiens in late October, he recorded a goal and an assist, both on the power play, helping the Oilers secure a thrilling 6-5 victory. That performance marked his third multi-point effort in just eight games, showcasing the consistency that Edmonton desperately needs.

His shooting efficiency has also improved, with 15 shots on net translating into five goals through the opening stretch. While his minus-three rating suggests some defensive challenges, it’s worth noting that Edmonton’s overall defensive structure has been a work in progress early in the season. Nugent-Hopkins continues to play in all situations, logging an average of 18:36 of ice time per game, which speaks to the trust head coach Kris Knoblauch places in the veteran forward.

What makes this start even more remarkable is that Nugent-Hopkins is doing it while playing both center and wing, depending on the lineup configuration. His versatility allows the Oilers to juggle their forward combinations without sacrificing offensive output, giving the coaching staff valuable flexibility as they search for the right chemistry throughout the lineup.