Edmonton Oilers lose star forward for weeks in tough blow before season opener
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will miss two weeks with a lower-body injury, starting with the Edmonton Oilers' season opener against the Canucks tonight, per Mike Babcock.
The Edmonton Oilers will start their 2026-27 season tonight without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
The veteran center is dealing with a lower-body injury and is expected to miss two weeks, according to head coach Mike Babcock.
It's a rough way to kick off the Babcock era.
Edmonton hosts the Vancouver Canucks in the opener, and the lineup plans just got a lot messier.
Why this one stings
Nugent-Hopkins has been a steady presence in the middle of this group for years.
The 33-year-old put up 20 goals and 56 points in 72 games last season, then added two goals and five points in six playoff games.
Zach Hyman had been projected to skate on his wing in the opening night lineup.
There's also a bigger question hanging over this.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl spent all of camp together on one line, and Babcock might have to break them up to fill the hole down the middle.
That would be a big change before the season even gets going.
What Edmonton does next
The good news is that two weeks is not a season-ending timeline.
Nugent-Hopkins is entering his 16th season with the Oilers, and the 2011 first overall pick knows this group better than most.
Edmonton will need its other centers, including Kirby Dach, to step up while he's out.
After a first round exit against the Anaheim Ducks last season, the Oilers are already carrying pressure to prove the changes they made this summer were the right ones.
Losing a key forward on opening night doesn't help.
Puck drop against the Canucks is tonight, so the first look at Babcock's answer comes fast.
Stay tuned for updates.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Elliotte Friedman reveals the real reason Toronto traded Matthew Knies
Elliotte Friedman reveals the real reason Toronto traded Matthew Knies