Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been through it all for the Edmonton Oilers.

He’s stuck with the team, whether they finished last place or fought tooth and nail in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. As the last holdover from the Decade of Darkness, he’s been a fixture in the top six for 15 years. That’s about to change.

Nugent-Hopkins’ decline is difficult to discuss in this city. As a loyal, toolsy, hard-working player, he’s reached a level of popularity in Edmonton perhaps only rivalled by Ryan Smyth. But the reality is, he’s 33 years old, and Father Time is undefeated.

He possesses a diverse enough skill set to add value to the team, but at this point, there are better options to maximize minutes at the top of the lineup next to Connor McDavid. Going into next season, the Oilers will need to adjust their expectations for Nugent-Hopkins and find the best spot for him to succeed.

Offensive decline

As a former first overall pick, the Oilers have expected Nugent-Hopkins to provide offence for his entire career. In 2025-26, he hit 50 points for the ninth time. Raw point totals don’t tell the whole story, however. He still contributes and collects his points on the top power play unit, but his five-on-five totals have slipped significantly.

This season, Nugent-Hopkins’........

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