Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the Edmonton Oilers are closing on a 1,000-game milestone, and Ryan Jones just raised the volume.
Jones, who played with Nugent-Hopkins from 2011 to 2014, told OilersNation he sees No. 93 as a truly elite all-around player when it's all said and done.
He even called him a «special player from day one.»
That's not empty nostalgia, because Nugent-Hopkins keeps doing the thankless stuff that wins good teams games.
He takes tough draws, kills penalties, and still produces, and the box score never fully captures it.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins keeps proving his value
As an Oilers fan, you can feel how much calmer the bench gets when 93 is over the boards.
This season line backs up the «Swiss Army knife» rep.
ESPN and PuckPedia both have him at 11 goals, 28 assists, and 39 points, while playing both special teams every night.
The timing of Jones' praise also matters because Sunday is the big one.
The Oilers' own preview notes Nugent-Hopkins will play his 1,000th NHL game against the St. Louis Blues, and he'll be the first in franchise history to play his first 1,000 all in Edmonton.
There's real pride baked into that, and it's not just sentimental.
He's signed through 2028-29 at a $5.125 million cap hit, which is the kind of deal that lets a contender keep its spine without panic.
Jones said Edmonton fans notice the details, and that's the best compliment here.
Nugent-Hopkins has never needed to be the loudest star, he's just been the guy the Oilers can't really replace.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 18|162 ANSWERS Former Oiler makes a bold claim about Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Do you agree with Ryan Jones that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be remembered as an elite all-around Edmonton Oilers player? | ||
| Absolutely | 110 | 67.9 % |
| Too high | 18 | 11.1 % |
| Needs Cup | 18 | 11.1 % |
| Already is | 16 | 9.9 % |
| List of polls | ||