News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tallied twice for the Oilers in a 3-1 win over the Flames on Friday night. He now has 18 goals on the season.
Analysis: It was the second straight game in which Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored at least a goal, making up for a slow start to the month of March when he was held goalless for Edmonton's first six games.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the game's first goal at the 7:40 mark of the second period Wednesday night to help lead Edmonton past Columbus, 3-0. He added a power-play assist on Edmonton's second goal of the game.
Analysis: The goal was his first in the month of March. With only five points (1G, 4A) and 12 shots on goal in seven games this month, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins might be feeling the grind of his first pro season. Consistency will come with time.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his 15th goal of the year Wednesday night as the Oilers fell to the Blues 5-2. He's now recorded a point in three straight games since returning from a shoulder injury Feb. 25.
Analysis: He has two goals and an assist over the three games. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins now sits third in rookie scoring, three points behind New Jersey's Adam Henrique despite playing 11 games fewer.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who was activated from IR earlier in the day from a shoulder injury, scored the Oilers' lone goal in a loss to the Coyotes on Saturday afternoon.
Analysis: It was nice to get that monkey off his back fast -- he hadn't lit the lamp in his previous 12 games dating back to December 7. Get him back into your lineup STAT.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) was activated from IR on Saturday, EdmontonOilers.com reports.
Analysis: He'll make his return against the Coyotes on Saturday.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) will play against Phoenix on Saturday, EdmontonOilers.com reports.
Analysis: With 35 points (13 goals) in 40 games, those lucky enough to own this super-productive rookie will want him active for Saturday.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) is expected to join contact practice Friday, Oilers Radio Network's Dan Tencer reports.
Analysis: We'll make note if things don't go according to plan, but it looks like RNH is back on track to make a return in the relatively near future. Hopefully a target date is the next bit of news here.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) won't play Thursday against the Flyers, Oilers Radio Network's Dan Tencer reports.
Analysis:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be missing his seventh straight game Thursday, will no concrete timetable for his possible return in place.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) was not cleared for contact as of Monday, Oilers Radio Network's Dan Tencer reports.
Analysis: It was originally hoped that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could get back to work early in the week, but it appears as if it'll take a bit more time before he receives clearance.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) was in a no-contact jersey at practice Thursday and won't play against the Avalanche on Friday, the Edmonton Journal reports.
Analysis: RNH is getting closer after missing 16 games but there's no really no reason to push things either with such a franchise player, especially given the Oilers are so far out of a playoff spot. The current guess is that Sunday's game would be pretty iffy for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as well, but a return at some point next week, perhaps even early next week, might be a pretty decent bet.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) skated in full gear prior to Wednesday morning's practice, the Oilers' official site reports.
Analysis:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins isn't ready to return to the lineup, but Wednesday's presence on the ice in pads indicates that he is moving closer to game action.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) will be out of the lineup 7-10 days, the team's official Twitter page reports.
Analysis: The 18-year-old has been outstanding in his first season of NHL action. He has recorded 35 points (13G, 22A) and eight PIM in 40 games. While this news is unfortunate for fantasy owners and the Oilers, last year's No. 1 overall pick has lived up to expectations thus far.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins left Monday's game against Toronto after aggravating a shoulder injury and did not return, according to the Edmonton Oilers' Twitter Feed.
Analysis: Bad luck for the the Oil, who are scoring goals in bunches. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missed 13 games already this season with a shoulder injury and he did not return. The immensely talented youngster played 15:03 before leaving with a minus-3 rating.
Nugent-Hopkins Shines In SO As Oilers Beat Detroit
News: In his first game action after missing 13 starts with a shoulder injury, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins banked the game-winning shootout goal as the Oilers bested the Red Wings on Saturday.
Analysis: He was held scoreless in regulation and overtime, firing only one shot in 24 shifts. We expect quite a bit more offense from him as he eases back into the routine of the Oilers' schedule.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is set to return for Saturday's tilt against Detroit, according to the Edmonton Journal. He's been out since January 3 with a left shoulder injury.
Analysis: There could be some rust and Detroit has been as stingy as they come in giving up goals lately, but it'd be hard to sit a guy who was producing just under a point-per-game pace prior to his injury, plus, Jimmy Howard will be sitting this one out for the Red Wings. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is expected to skate between Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) is likely to play Saturday for Edmonton, according to the Edmonton Sun.
Analysis: Coach Tom Renney stated "I'd be surprised if he wasn't ready for Saturday". It seems the Oilers are playing it cautious with RNH as they do believe he could play tonight but want to give him two more days of rest to be sure.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) will miss Thursday's game against Chicago, ESPN Chicago reports.
Analysis: Edmonton was primarily hoping for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to return during the team's upcoming three-game road trip, anyway, so it would probably be a surprise if he plays before Monday.
Nugent-Hopkins Sheds Non-Contact Sweater At Oilers' Practice
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) shed his non-contact jersey for Wednesday's practice, the Oilers' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: He's increasing his level of contact in practice this week with the hope of returning during the Oilers' upcoming three-game road trip. The Oilers haven't officially ruled him out for Thursday's game against Chicago, but head coach Tom Renney isn't optimistic about the rookie being ready to return that quickly.
Oilers' Nugent-Hopkins Needs Contact Before Returning
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) missed practice Monday because of the flu, but he still needs to take a few practices with contact before returning to the lineup, the Oilers' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: Once he's able to get a few practices in without a non-contact sweater, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins should be back in the mix for games soon after. Owners in weekly leagues should probably go elsewhere for another lineup period, however.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) did not practice Monday, the Oilers' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: No word yet regarding his expected workload for the upcoming week, but it sounds like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be checking in closer to the long end of the three-to-four week timetable initially offered when he suffered his injury.
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) is expected to miss the next 3-4 weeks, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: The shoulder is mosly likely separated, although the Oilers have not confirmed that diagnosis. He suffered the injury while falling into the boards, a non-contact play, just bad luck for the rookie and the Oilers. This injury could also keep Ryan Nugent-Hopkins away from the All-Star game and the festivities that come with it.
