In discussions around the Edmonton Oilers, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is widely regarded as a crucial, versatile asset, often dubbed their `Swiss Army knife`.
This description isn`t just casual praise; it comes directly from the team`s captain and arguably the league`s top player, Connor McDavid. Following a dominant Game 3 victory over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference finals, McDavid highlighted Nugent-Hopkins` value, stating, “He`s our Swiss Army knife… He`s playing really, really well. Just solid overall, making plays, doing his thing. He`s asked to do everything every single night. He`s playing great.”
Evander Kane, a frequent linemate of Nugent-Hopkins, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the widespread use of the term. Kane emphasized his teammate`s versatility, strong vision, and composure with the puck. He noted Nugent-Hopkins` exceptional performance throughout the playoffs, particularly in the current series, adding that his continued strong play is a significant boost for the team.
Nugent-Hopkins` recent performance has put him firmly in the spotlight, even on a roster filled with stars. He was particularly outstanding in Game 3, registering three assists with impressive playmaking, including a memorable give-and-go with McDavid.
His playoff statistics underscore his impact: two goals and seven points in the conference finals, and overall five goals and 16 points through 14 postseason games, ranking him fourth on the team. His consistency in the current series has placed him in elite company; he is only the second player in franchise history, alongside Wayne Gretzky, to record multiple points in the first three games of an NHL conference final or semifinal.
Despite the demanding workload that comes with being such a versatile player – capable of excelling in nearly every role except goaltender – Nugent-Hopkins consistently delivers.
He has effectively played as a top-line winger alongside McDavid, a reliable shutdown center on the second line, a constant threat on the top power-play unit, and an invaluable penalty killer. This makes Nugent-Hopkins the kind of player every coach dreams of having, a fact not lost on Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch.
Knoblauch jokingly mentioned Leon Draisaitl calling Nugent-Hopkins his favorite player last year. He expressed gratitude for having a player with such broad capabilities, stating, “Any time you have a player that can do so much, as a coach you`re very thankful for it. You want players with flexibility. You can use them in all different situations… He`ll do a great job.”
Fortunately, Nugent-Hopkins` teammates and coaches are quick to praise him, as he remains remarkably humble about his significant contributions to the Oilers` playoff success. He prefers to focus on the collective effort rather than taking individual credit.
“I think we`re all just doing our thing and trying to chip in where we can,” Nugent-Hopkins commented on his impact. “Our line got a couple [on Sunday] and it`s nice to capitalize on your chances and see it go in.”
The current success is particularly meaningful for Nugent-Hopkins, who is the longest-tenured player on the Oilers roster. Drafted first overall in 2011, he endured many challenging seasons, with only one playoff appearance in his first eight years. The team saw early exits in 2020 and 2021 before their fortunes began to change.
The Oilers` stock rose significantly, leading to a deep run to the Stanley Cup Final last season, where they ultimately lost in Game 7. Nugent-Hopkins was a key part of that run, tallying seven goals and 22 points. The team is now striving to replicate that success as they hold a 2-1 series advantage heading into Game 4.
Those who have watched Nugent-Hopkins mature over his career aren`t surprised by his sustained high level of play, even at age 32. Stuart Skinner, who joined the team in 2020-21, has long admired him.
“I`ve always been a huge fan,” Skinner said. “He`s been able to be a two-way player [in all three phases] of the ice. He`s just that type of guy. That`s why he`s such a huge part of our team, huge part of the organization.”
A prime example of Nugent-Hopkins` impact is how the Oilers addressed their penalty kill struggles. After surrendering three power-play goals in quick succession during a disastrous third period in Game 1, which cost them the game, Nugent-Hopkins helped lead the effort to stabilize the unit. Since that game, the Oilers` penalty kill has been perfect, successfully killing off all four Dallas power plays.
Nugent-Hopkins attributed the turnaround to consistency and confidence. “Staying with it, staying confident,” he explained. “Obviously they stung us there, cost us in the first game; we wanted to respond, and I think we`ve done a good job since.”
Exactly how Nugent-Hopkins manages to balance so many roles without any drop in quality remains his unique ability. It`s the essence of the `Swiss Army knife` – a tool that looks simple on the outside but contains a wide array of hidden capabilities. His contributions extend beyond dazzling plays on the ice to important work behind the scenes.
Skinner highlighted Nugent-Hopkins` leadership qualities, stating, “He`s a leader in here. The work ethic he shows every day, what he says in the room and [how] he does it with a lot of composure too. It`s very impressive.”
Rupert Hartwell