Ryan Nugent-Hopkins speaks ahead of milestone weekend series against the Canucks
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Jack Sutherland
Jan 17, 2026 (8:59 PM)
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Longtime Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the longest-tenured member of the team, talked ahead of his milestone game in the NHL, only one away from 1,000 in an Oilers sweater.
The longest tenured member of the Edmonton Oilers is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who has not only played his entire career in an Oilers sweater but was taken with one of many first overall picks by the Oilers.
Taken first overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Nugent-Hopkins has seen it all during his time in Edmonton, from finishing at the bottom of the League to making it within a single win of the Stanley Cup.
He's about to play in his 999th career NHL game, putting him only one away from the 1,000 games played milestone.
He'll play it against the divisional foe Vancouver Canucks, and he said that even though it's exciting, he still just wants to play his game.
Obviously, we're playing a lot, and we're travelling and stuff, so I'm definitely going to try to enjoy it as much as I can, but I'm just going to be focusing on playing and doing the best I can out there. But it'll be fun. Number 999 in Vancouver, I'll have some family and stuff out there for that, and then I'll have family and friends coming in on Sunday. It's hard to kind of fathom it sometimes, but for my family and friends, it's an exciting time. I'll just be trying to play my game, but definitely try to enjoy it too. - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
So far this year, Nugent-Hopkins has 37 points (11G, 26A) in 39 games.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Has Played Nearly 1,000 NHL Games
Nugent-Hopkins has been one of the main core pieces of the Oilers for several years now, and is one of the first overall picks of the team that is still in Edmonton unlike Nail Yakupov and Taylor Hall.
Not only has he had a long career for the Oilers, but he's also represented Canada internationally both at the junior and senior levels.
In 998 NHL games, Nugent-Hopkins has 785 points (282G, 503A).
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 17|133 ANSWERS Ryan Nugent-Hopkins speaks ahead of milestone weekend series against the Canucks Will Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ever win a Stanley Cup with the Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 79 | 59.4 % |
| No | 54 | 40.6 % |
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