Ryan Nugent-Hopkins News

Nugent-Hopkins will miss at least six weeks with a hand injury that he suffered on Monday night. He could be out for two months, which is a huge blow for the Oilers, who are expected to get Connor McDavid back in early February.

Nugent-Hopkins suffered a hand injury after blocking a shot in Monday’s win over the Panthers. Nugent-Hopkins will miss an extended period of time and Connor McDavid is still sidelined, so the Oilers are left with just four healthy centres, Leon Draisaitl, Mark Letestu, Matt Hendricks and Anton Lander.

Nugent-Hopkins returned to practice on Tuesday after missing Saturday’s game and Monday’s practice. RNH’s return to the ice is a good sign that he is feeling well enough to return to the lineup on Wednesday.

Nugent-Hopkins missed Saturday’s game and now Monday’s practice, which clouds his status for Wednesday’s game vs. the Blackhawks. Monitor RNH’s status as the week progresses.

Nugent-Hopkins is in danger of missing his second straight game with a lower-body injury. Monitor his status in the morning skate, but it doesn’t look like he will be available vs. the Kings.

Nugent-Hopkins missed the last two games, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Canucks. The first line rushes he took were with Nail Yakupov and Teddy Purcell, but then he was reportedly between Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall at the end of practice, so expect him to be in his usual spot on the top-line. He has one assist in two games.

Nugent-Hopkins is on the ice for the Oilers morning skate and is participating in line rushes, which suggests he will return to the lineup tonight after missing the last two games. RNH is skating on the third line with Nail Yakupov and Teddy Purcell. Monitor his status following the morning skate.

Nugent-Hopkins skated on Tuesday but missed yesterday's game against the Kings and will not play tonight vs. the Coyotes. However, it is a positive sign that he has skated two days in a row, so consider him day-to-day.

Nugent-Hopkins was reportedly injured on a hit in the Vancouver game on Saturday. He won't play tonight and should be considered questionable for tomorrow's game. Mark Arcobello will centre the top line with RNH out.

RNH missed practice on Monday with an undisclosed and is not practicing on any particular line this morning, which would suggest he is not playing tonight. Mark Arcobello is skating in his spot on the top-line, so if RNH can't go expect that the be the case tonight. We will get an update following the skate.

RNH recorded six shots and had a power-play goal in the Oilers comeback win. After a successful rookie season, his sophomore year was nothing to write home about. One-goal in one-game is a solid way to start the season for the 2011 first overall pick.

Nugent-Hopkins is coming off of shoulder surgery in the offseason. He was expected to miss much more than just two games, but that does not appear to be the case. His return will certainly be a welcome sight to the Oilers, who are really thin down the middle right now.

Nugent-Hopkins, 20, scored four goals and 24 points in 40 games last season before he was shut down in April to have season-ending shoulder surgery. As a rookie, the third-year NHLer recorded 18 goals and 52 points in 62 contests.

Nugent-Hopkins had surgery in April to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder. General manager Craig MacTavish said on Sunday that the club is still following the initial timeline, which was a November 1 return. If Nugent-Hopkins isn’t ready for the opener, the Oilers will need to find another centre. MacTavish did not rule the possibility of Taylor Hall moving from the wing but said it would be a coaching decision.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will fly to Cleveland Sunday to have his shoulder examined.

RNH missed the Oilers last two games with strep throat, but he is ready to return tonight. After scoring 52 points in 62 games last season RNH has struggled this year only recording 11 points in his first 27 games.

It doesn't look like RNH will make the road-trip with the Oilers, he is suffering from strep throat.

Monitor Nugent-Hopkins status prior to tomorrow's game.