Oilers’ Nugent-Hopkins expected to make season debut Thursday vs. Hurricanes - TSN

Published: October 22, 2026 at 10:53a.m. EDTEdmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is expected to return Thursday night as the club hosts the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. He was placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the season after sustaining a lower-body injury during a pre-game skate on Sept. 29. The 33-year-old had 20 goals and 36 assists in 72 games last season. Nugent-Hopkins is entering his 16th season with the Oilers after being selected first overall in 2011. He has recorded 291 goals and 804 points in 1,031 games. He is expected to centre the second line, as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to play together on the top line. The Oilers (7-1-1) have won two in a row and sit one back of the Vegas Golden Knights for first in the Pacific Division.