Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl praise Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as Oilers forward prepares for 1,000th game

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has remained a constant force within the Edmonton Oilers roster during 15 years of player turnover, coaching change, and management changeovers. He is on the verge of his 1,000th game with the Oilers, demonstrating incredible stability and grit.The 32-year-old forward, Edmonton’s first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, has grown into one of the league’s most reliable two-way forwards. On Sunday, when the Oilers host the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Place, Nugent-Hopkins will make history as the first player to reach 1,000 games exclusively with Edmonton.Over the years, Nugent-Hopkins has earned the respect of teammates and coaches by working hard and adjusting to whatever the team needed. He has been a steady presence in the lineup and always ready to learn, which has made him one of the most reliable players on the Oilers. It’s no surprise that two of the league’s brightest stars have taken notice.“To see ‘Nuge’ reach that milestone all here in Edmonton speaks to his loyalty here in Edmonton and how much he likes the city, likes the fans, likes the organization,” Connor McDavid said. His words underline how Nugent-Hopkins has become a pillar of consistency and trust within the team. Leon Draisaitl added, “He’s always the coach’s favorite.” Their words show just how important Nugent-Hopkins is, both during games and in the locker room.Nugent-Hopkins hasn’t had an easy journey. Drafted during Edmonton’s rebuilding era following the 2006 Stanley Cup Final loss, he arrived alongside Taylor Hall and Nail Yakupov, carrying the weight of expectation. He made an immediate impact, scoring 52 points in 62 games as a rookie and finishing second in Calder Trophy voting.Reflecting on the milestone, Nugent-Hopkins said, “I think if you can get to this point in your career, play 1,000 games in this league, things have to go right for you and you have to stick with a lot of it, and I’m very proud to have done it.” McDavid and Draisaitl’s comments show just how valued he is, both on the ice and in the locker room.With time, he has enhanced his performance and is now one of the mainstays of the Oilers. He has previously achieved his best score of 104 points during the 2022-23 season, indicating his ability to perform at elite speed on both offense and defense. He has played under nine coaches and several general managers, picking up lessons from each and earning respect throughout the organization. His consistent, team-first approach has made him a role model for younger players and a trusted teammate for stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. As Ryan Nugent-Hopkins takes the ice at Rogers Place for his 1,000th game with the Edmonton Oilers, it highlights his lasting impact on the team and the admiration of his superstar teammates.