There are a few feel-good stories as the 2025-2026 NHL season begins for the Edmonton Oilers, but none are bigger than Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ resurgence. At 32 years old, the longest-tenured Oiler is off to one of his best starts in years, reminding fans and teammates alike why he remains one of the franchise’s most reliable and respected players.
Through the first nine games, Nugent-Hopkins has 10 points and is second on the team, behind only Connor McDavid, who has 11. That production also currently puts him in the top 50 in the NHL, an impressive feat for a player who some thought would be near the end of his career. Instead, he proves that his combination of intelligence, consistency and quiet competitiveness still translates into elite production.
After scoring 67 points in 2023-2024 and just 49 points last season, many wondered if his 104-point explosion during the 2022-2023 NHL season was a one-off. But in the early weeks of 2025-26, Nugent-Hopkins is showing he can still go on offense, play responsibly in front of his own end and get results when the Oilers need it most.
Making up for Zach Hyman’s absence
The Oilers have had a mixed start to the season, hovering around .500 heading into a Pacific Division road trip at the hands of the Seattle Kraken. a 3–2 defeat on October 25and the Vancouver Canucks on October 26. While the team hasn’t been dominant, they haven’t stumbled out of the gate like they did in the previous two seasons. Much of that fortitude can be attributed to Nugent-Hopkins’ timely scoring and veteran presence. His early production with Zach Hyman was especially crucial still recovering from the wrist injury he held his ground in last spring’s Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars. Hyman’s energy and presence in net are difficult to replace, but Nugent-Hopkins has stepped up, filling the offensive void and stabilizing Edmonton’s top six.
If Hyman returns, it may take some time for him to rediscover his rhythm. Former oiler Evander Kane experienced a similar setback after his wrist injury, and it took several weeks for his shot and timing to return, although he never really regained his strong scoring touch. That’s why Nugent-Hopkins’ strong start is so important: He keeps the Oilers competitive and dangerous offensively during a period when secondary scoring is crucial. If both Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins can come together, the Oilers can regain their offensive depth and re-establish themselves as one of the league’s most offensively potent teams.
The road to 1,000 career points
For Nugent-Hopkins, this season is not just about maintaining his production, but also about building his legacy. He reached the 700-point milestone early in the 2024-2025 campaign, and currently sits at 758 career points. With his current contract running through the 2028-2029 season, there is a realistic chance he can reach the 1,000-point plateau, a feat that would make him one of the all-time greats in Oilers history.
Related: Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins records 700th NHL point
To reach that milestone, he will need to average around 60 points per season over the next four seasons – a pace that seems achievable given his consistency and ability to adapt his game. Nugent-Hopkins has never relied solely on speed or flash; instead, his success has come from hockey intelligence, positioning and game vision – qualities that are aging gracefully. Tying his career high of 104 points from the 2022-2023 season may be ambitious, but it’s not impossible if he stays healthy and continues his current momentum. Even if he doesn’t reach that number, a 70-80 point campaign would be a resounding success and an invaluable contribution to a team built around his offensive depth and special teams prowess.
Fan favorite and the heart of the locker room
While the points tell one story, Nugent-Hopkins’ true value to the Oilers goes far beyond the scoresheet. He has long been a fan favorite – not because he is the loudest or most flashy, but because he embodies everything Edmonton fans love: hard work, humility and loyalty. Since being drafted first overall in 2011, Nugent-Hopkins has weathered every chapter of the Oilers’ modern history — from the rebuilding and lottery years to the rise of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and the current push for the Stanley Cup.
Through it all, he has been a steady presence, a quiet leader and a model teammate. In the dressing room he is known for his professionalism and balanced attitude. On the ice he plays with honesty and commitment every evening. Coaches trust him in all situations – power play, penalty kill and late-game defensive assignments – a testament to his versatility and hockey IQ. To fans, he represents continuity and hope, the link between the Oilers’ past struggles and their current pursuit of greatness.
Age is just a number
At 32 years old, Nugent-Hopkins is proving that age doesn’t have to determine a player’s effectiveness. While some of the veterans are starting to fade, his play has aged gracefully. His skating remains fluid, his play is sharp and his defense is better than ever. He has adapted to an increasingly faster and more skilled league by emphasizing cleverness, anticipation and positioning – all hallmarks of his game.
He may not put up another 100-point season, but that isn’t the only measure of his impact. His consistency, leadership and ability to lift teammates to the next level will be invaluable to a club with Championship aspirations.
Bottom line: “Yes, Ryan still has it”
In a season where the Oilers look to build on their 2025 Stanley Cup Final run, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ resurgence is both a reassuring and inspiring storyline. He performs offensively, leads by example and proves once again that he is still one of the most complete two-way players in hockey.
Will he reach 100 points again? Maybe not.
But if he stays healthy and keeps up this pace, a 90-point season isn’t out of the question — and that would be a remarkable feat for a player in his 14th NHL campaign.
For now, Oilers fans can take pride in seeing one of their longest-serving and most beloved players continue to shine. As far as early season stories go, Nugent-Hopkins’ turning back the clock might be the best in Edmonton.
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