Player Discussion Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: The Silent Beast

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

There's been lots of talk about many players this season, but very few people seem to be talking about the Nuge. He's off to a tremendous start this season, already surpassing last year's goal total and is just slightly over a PPG this year. If he stays healthy he might surpass his career year in all categories. I think what's most impressive is that he's accomplishing this despite limited even strength minutes with the nukes on the team, usually playing between a mishmash of random wingers.

Here's to you, Nuge. I know you're usually stuck in the shadow of Connor and Leon, but trust me, I'm happy to have you on the team.

Click to read more...

 

[JossyP]

He has been amazing for us this season, I didn’t think he had another gear to his game like this. It seems like his shot has a little more zip on it this year too. What an absolute bargain contract signing, props to Holland for that.

 

[Arpeggio]

He's looking as good as he's looked offensively since early in his career. When Nuge is scoring goals at a good pace, he's 10x the player that he usually is because defenders will have to start respecting his shot. It would be fantastic if he potted 30 this year.

 

[GOilers88]

Love to see this.

Amen.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

 

[McDNicks17]

I don't know if being on that list is a good thing haha.

It's basically who scores a lot on the PP, but sucks at 5v5.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I don't know if being on that list is a good thing haha.

It's basically who scores a lot on the PP, but sucks at 5v5.

Hence the PP specialist tag.

 

[McDNicks17]

Hence the PP specialist tag.

That's what I mean. That isn't overly flattering.

It's like calling Jack Campbell a low danger scoring chance specialist haha.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

That's what I mean. That isn't overly flattering.

It's like calling Jack Campbell a low danger scoring chance specialist haha.

Not even remotely the same. PP points still count last time I checked.

But you advanced stats only guys think you have it all figured out so why bother saying anything.

Enjoy your Jesse Puljujarvi. I’ll take RNH.

 

[McDNicks17]

Not even remotely the same. PP points still count last time I checked.

But you advanced stats only guys think you have it all figured out so why bother saying anything.

Enjoy your Jesse Puljujarvi. I’ll take RNH.

Low danger saves and high danger saves count the same too.

I wish the Oilers actually had a good 5v5 player to enjoy.

 

[CupofOil]

I don't know if being on that list is a good thing haha.

It's basically who scores a lot on the PP, but sucks at 5v5.

He does have 10 even strength goals this season, at least a few that were away from McDrai as well.

He's looked really good at even strength this season, to my eye, but weaker than usual on the PK funny enough. If we could get the Nuge we saw on the PK last season, that's a pretty complete player.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I don't know if being on that list is a good thing haha.

It's basically who scores a lot on the PP, but sucks at 5v5.

Look who he's often stuck with at 5on5, he doesn't get to ride the McDrai gravy train very often.

 

[McDNicks17]

Look who he's often stuck with at 5on5, he doesn't get to ride the McDrai gravy train very often.

I'm not sure it's really a gravy train for him. I'm pretty sure someone has posted that his scoring rates go up away from them.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Low danger saves and high danger saves count the same too.

I wish the Oilers actually had a good 5v5 player to enjoy.

Comparing a very good forward to a struggling goalie in the context of power play effectiveness vs save quality is ridiculous but carry on.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I'm not sure it's really a gravy train for him. I'm pretty sure someone has posted that his scoring rates go up away from them.

Perhaps, but he rarely gets the benefit of Hyman or Kane either. Yesterday he was stuck with Janmark and Yamamoto.

 

[OilynutEsquire]

I don't know if being on that list is a good thing haha.

It's basically who scores a lot on the PP, but sucks at 5v5.

Its an article on who is the most efficient on the pp. It has nothing to do with 5v5 play...................


Nuge is going to play until he is 45. His post puberty years will be glorious, getting a little taste of that now.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Unsung hero on our team. Not the biggest, fastest, flashiest, but he gets the job done.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Only noticable difference I'm seeing is he gets his shot off quickly now.

Seasons past he would polish it off a bit, allowing the defensemen and goalies to setup. This year he just rips it when he sees the opening.

He looks a lot like the dynamic Rookie-Nuge.

 

[joestevens29]

I don't know if being on that list is a good thing haha.

It's basically who scores a lot on the PP, but sucks at 5v5.

Top 20 for even strength goals, top 80 for even strength points. Doesn't exactly scream the guy sucks at 5vs5

 

[McDNicks17]

Its an article on who is the most efficient on the pp. It has nothing to do with 5v5 play...................


Nuge is going to play until he is 45. His post puberty years will be glorious, getting a little taste of that now.

The ranking is based on percentage of points on the PP. Having low 5v5 points is basically a requirement.

 

[Forgot About Drai]

I wish he was slightly more productive 5on5, but I will take what I can get with Nuge and hes a beast on the PP. He will be an Oiler legend by the end of his career too.

 

[joestevens29]

Only noticable difference I'm seeing is he gets his shot off quickly now.

Seasons past he would polish it off a bit, allowing the defensemen and goalies to setup. This year he just rips it when he sees the opening.

He looks a lot like the dynamic Rookie-Nuge.

That's kind of a big improvement though. Been an issue with him and others on this team for quite some time.

 

[CupofOil]

I wish he was slightly more productive 5on5, but I will take what I can get with Nuge and hes a beast on the PP. He will be an Oiler legend by the end of his career too.

He has 10 even strength goals this season in 27 games (which I'm sure are predominantly 5 on 5 goals), I'm not sure what more you can reasonably expect from him. He has 3 more even strength goals than Draisaitl, for example. This is the best I've seen Nuge look at 5 on 5 in years, at least offensively.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

That's kind of a big improvement though. Been an issue with him and others on this team for quite some time.

Nuge honestly has the best wrist shot on the team, he just doesn't use it often enough.

 

[BudBundy]

Very happy to see him doing well. He always leaves me wanting more assertiveness all over the ice, especially when I watch us play against Phillip Danault. But he is what he is, I’ve always appreciated him, and he’s a pretty good hockey player.