The perspective of RNH

[bossram]

Nuge has always been a good two-way player. He's long been the best two-way center on the Oilers. It took people looking past the "lulz Oilers" factor to actually see that.

 

[Regal]

Nuge has always been a good two-way player. He's long been the best two-way center on the Oilers. It took people looking past the "lulz Oilers" factor to actually see that.

Not that he's not still good regardless, but this doesn't say a whole lot.

 

[bossram]

Not that he's not still good regardless, but this doesn't say a whole lot.

Well he's been in the rumour mill for a while and pilloried for being on a garbage team. Before McDavid entered the picture, I don't see how any reasonable fan could have fathomed trading him. Even with McDavid, there's no one else on the team who can credibly handle tougher minutes.

 

[Vaclav Varada]

Players like Nuge often get underrated. He's not a goal scorer, he doesn't dominate the high-lite reel, but he does all the small things that create goals. He gets assists for it sometimes, sometimes not, but hes the kind of player that often always has a hand in the goal scored when he's on the ice.


Might not be a hugely popular opinion, but he reminds me of a somewhat better version of Kyle Turris.

Good height, undersized weight wise. Can run a line, great vision, uses line mates as much, probably more then needed, underrated goal scoring and very responsible defensively.

 

[CanadienShark]

I think of David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Kesler or Logan Couture type guys when I think of Elite #2C's.

He's not there yet. He might get there in the near future, but he's not there yet now.

Bergeron is a top 10 centre, Couture a top 20 centre. That's conservative too and you call them #2C?!?

 

[KingTux]

I think he will be a very good #2 center behind McDavid. Its a good thing that he won't have the offensive responsibilities of a #1 guy, that way he can focus on his all around game.

 

[Measles]

I think of David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Kesler or Logan Couture type guys when I think of Elite #2C's.

He's not there yet. He might get there in the near future, but he's not there yet now.

Bergeron a 2C....what?

 

[thalegion]

There's about 6-8 teams in the league who don't have a center of nuge's calibre so it's pretty neat he's our 2nd best on a sweetheart deal

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Bergeron a 2C....what?

1) Crosby
2) Bergeron
3) Kopitar

Wait is that not what 2C means?

 

[MasterDecoy]

A month ago there were posters calling him a bust. What a difference actually watching a player play makes.....

It's only a problem if you take these people seriously

 

[PuckG]

He's a quality offensive 2C good for ~52 points a year if healthy but the faceoff numbers (45.6% last two seasons) and defensive numbers (+0.07 xGA60.Rel) are hardly indicative of the lead two-way player he is billed as.

You don't want him playing 20+ minutes a game as your #1C and you don't want him shutting down the opponent's top line as your #2C either. His best fit is a sheltered 2C on a scoring line.

You absolutely do want him playing 20+ minutes against the top lines. If you're using just last year as an example, then you can prove anything considering it was probably RNH's worst season in the NHL.

Edit: Aside from OvermanKingGainer (we all know how he rates Oiler players ), it's great to see posters give some love to Nuge.

 

[tempest2i]

Being healthy right now is the biggest difference for Nuge. He was drafted 1st overall for a reason, he's got smarts and skills.

 

[rynryn]

Hasn't changed. He's good, a solid 2C anywhere or a bottom half 1C. One of the things I'd be looking forward too as an Oiler fan would be the trade value of guys like RNH shooting up once the team as a whole looks less of a mess. Lost Hall in an unequal trade but i bet you get more value for RNH if you chose to trade him in a couple years.

 

[Evincar]

He'll end up a solid #2C? He's already an elite #2C.

Who are elite #2C? Koivu? Plekanec? Backes? I would expect better.

 

[The Nuge]

Players like Nuge often get underrated. He's not a goal scorer, he doesn't dominate the high-lite reel, but he does all the small things that create goals. He gets assists for it sometimes, sometimes not, but hes the kind of player that often always has a hand in the goal scored when he's on the ice.


Might not be a hugely popular opinion, but he reminds me of a somewhat better version of Kyle Turris.

Good height, undersized weight wise. Can run a line, great vision, uses line mates as much, probably more then needed, underrated goal scoring and very responsible defensively.

Actually that's not a bad comparison. He has the potential to do a lot more than he does offensively. He just focuses on defense first, so it hurts his numbers, and therefore his perception amongst those who don't watch him as often. There's a reason he scored at a 69 point pace as a rookie

 

[TheGreat]

Actually that's not a bad comparison. He has the potential to do a lot more than he does offensively. He just focuses on defense first, so it hurts his numbers, and therefore his perception amongst those who don't watch him as often. There's a reason he scored at a 69 point pace as a rookie

Pace doesn't mean nothing , Its a players real totals that matter , Kradi during short season was on pace to hit 80 points doesn't mean anything , Im not hating on RNH or Kradi , I just can't stand ppl using pace a reason

 

[WesMcCauley]

He is getting the credit he deserves and always has. He isnt better than other 1b centers like Stepan, Turris etc....
Everyone called him a 1b prior to this tournament and he still is. He is a good player and everyone knows that and he is recognised as one aswell. Edm fans wanting their players to get credit for everything is getting old.

 

[Soundwave]

He's a good player, yeah probably a 1B, but a good 1B who can play 1A if you need him to. He has a good skill set ... good vision, solid skater, nice shot but doesn't use the shot enough.

I think his skinny build has held him back and the Oilers have over played him with a lack of center depth. Even last year I think McDavid/RNH/Draisaitl only got to play like 5 games together total because of injuries.

But now as he's getting on into his 20s, you naturally start to fill out and get stronger and I think that's happening for him.

This year hopefully the Oilers can run three centers so RNH can take less minutes, I think it would benefit his game.

I would say Gaudreau, McDavid, MacKinnon, Matthews, and RNH were the best forwards on Team North America for the tournament.

He's still pretty young, Turris is 4 years older than him.