The Edmonton Oilers can’t seem to catch a break. Just when they were hoping to build some stability after yet another uneven start, the team announced that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is placed on the injured reserve – a move that immediately derails any momentum they tried to generate.
For a team desperate to each victories off the ice – good injury news, returning players, clarity on the lineup – the feeling that Nugent-Hopkins could be out longer than expected is quite the opposite. Nugent-Hopkins has quietly been one of the Oilers’ most consistent forwards this season, scoring 16 points in 16 games while playing in every key situation. Losing him now is a blow.
The Oilers said he will be out for “at least a week,” but others aren’t so sure that will amount to as little time he misses
Sports 1440’s Jason Gregor noted that every time the Oilers or head coach Kris Knoblauch have said a week, it’s probably been two. Every injury this season has lasted longer than the initial prognosis.
Some teams have had a higher number of injuries than Edmonton. That said, the Oilers’ early injuries haven’t helped their start to the season. They were missing Jake Walman and Mattias Janmark to start the year. Zach Hyman is not yet back from a long-term injury and may not return until the end of this week. Alec Regula was sidelined early on. Instead of gaining traction, they lose another core piece – this time one of their most reliable, stable veterans.
Nugent-Hopkins isn’t a flashy player, but he’s reliable. Even if he doesn’t score, he brings a lot to the team. He runs the second or third line, supports special teams and provides leadership that the team will miss. Without him, the Oilers’ already shaky lineup balance becomes even shakier.
For a team trying to right the ship, this isn’t just bad timing. It’s a setback that threatens to slow things down even further — and the Oilers don’t have much left to lose.
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