Ad
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins News
In Edmonton’s 2-1 shootout victory to open the 2011-12 season, rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins didn’t just have a strong game, he was dominating. He scored the crucial tieing goal late in the game, but more than that, of the Oilers’ 18 scoring chances, RNH made significant contributions to 12 of them, an astounding total.

Probably a safe pick to grab if still available in your league. His center-only position is the only thing that may hurt his immediate fantasy hockey value.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
If Red Deer Rebels’ coach Jesse Wallin was holding to a faint hope that Nugent-Hopkins could be back in his No. 9 sweater with the Western Hockey League junior team, he can probably forget it, at least for the start of the Oilers season with Sam Gagner out with a sprained ankle.

Nugent-Hopkins could stick for longer than nine games if Gagner fails to return by then. If so, expect a similar rookie season to Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle -- somewhere around 15-20 goals and 40-45 points -- while playing on one of the top two lines.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins