He actually may be a decent 3rd line C if they give him proper line mates. (not Jeff Skinner)
Player Discussion Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: The Silent Beast
- Thread starter KeithIsActuallyBad
- Start date
OilerTyler
Disgruntled
Oddly enough, the only seasons in which Nuge has disappeared in the playoffs were his first playoffs (2017) and his 100 point season. He's been pretty good in the playoffs every other year.
The Nuge-McDavid-Hyman line has absolutely not been working this season and I think Knob held onto it a little too long. I'd be curious to see how Nuge would do playing next to Draisaitl for a bit. They've had success in the past but have only played 37 minutes together at 5 on 5 this year.
oobga
Tier 2 Fan
- Aug 1, 2003
- 23,997
- 25,290
Think Nuge had 3 even strength points (3 assists) combined in rounds 3 and 4 last playoffs, and was one of the only fully healthy forwards? That seems like disappearing. Hyman looked like a husk, Drai busted, McDavid just going solo every game in the finals being swarmed, because his wingers were completely useless and could be ignored by Florida defenders. That is when we needed the Nuge who coasted the first 3 rounds with near zero damage to show himself, but, never happened.
OilerTyler
Disgruntled
Yeah, he definitely slowed down as the playoffs went on. A lot of players on the team did. I don't think it's fair to say he coasted the first three rounds when he had 20 points in 18 games though. A lot of teams around the league would kill for production like that from their stars. And power play points count too. We've seen how this PP operates without Nuge and it's not pretty.
Bryanbryoil
Pray For Ukraine
- Sep 13, 2004
- 86,438
- 42,639
Keep him at center, that's where he does his best work and it helps to get some ES scoring in the bottom 6.
It's crazy how this is such a problem. It's why I prefer him and Drai play together currently and why we need a good top 6 player so badly.
oobga
Tier 2 Fan
- Aug 1, 2003
- 23,997
- 25,290
One more winger that can actually hold onto a puck and make a heads up play 5v5 would probably help a lot. All our "top" wingers are quick 1 and done primarily shooting players 5v5, including Nuge. Nuge can only hold onto pucks and make plays when he has the extra space the PP gives him, although, this season he can barely even do that.
I've always said the play of RNH is a litmus test for the play of the overall team.
When he's plodding around, getting torched in battles, and turning pucks over incessantly, so is the rest of the group. When he's actually playing assertive hockey, the Oilers do too.
He's been trash for most of this season.
When he's plodding around, getting torched in battles, and turning pucks over incessantly, so is the rest of the group. When he's actually playing assertive hockey, the Oilers do too.
He's been trash for most of this season.
bucks_oil
Registered User
- Aug 25, 2005
- 8,583
- 5,902
I read that with
too... "coasted for three rounds"? So when it comes to Nuge, not only do power play points not count, but you need to be injured to prove you weren't coasting?
Just while we are reality checking... Nuge scored 10 points (including 6 "real points" at EV) vs Vancouver, seems like more than just 'coasting' in the closest series (other than FLA) that we had.
He seems to be very comfortable on his current line with Hyman and Kane. They've been very quietly effective so far these playoffs.
Yeah... I don't think so either.I read that with
Nuge got 22 points in last season's playoffs, same as Hyman, and tied for 5th overall in the NHL.
He also had the highest mins/g among our fwds on a pretty successful pk.
I think that people get spoiled by watching McDavid... He makes a lot of people look like they're coasting, if not pylons.
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
Nuge gets too much shit around here, but he knows how to amp up when it matters, doing a effective job between Kane and Hyman has been huge for this team.
Seems like an opportune time to bump this thread again. 9 points in 4 games in the WCF. He is absolutely killing it out there.
MessierThanThou
Registered User
Has he ever looked THIS good? He's outproducing McDrai and Rantanen...
Nuge has lasted through the decade of darkness, through some of the worst teams in the modern era for the Oilers, and has stuck it out. He has his ups and downs, he at times seems like he's out of gas or not especially invested because of the style of his game.. but his track record stands. Oiler for life and one I quietly hope will see his reward for it at the end here.
The Nuge
Some say…
And sits 4th in playoff scoring, behind only McDrai and Rantanen
Without a doubt our best skater this series.
Crazy to think saying that would normally invite some severe depression.
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