The losses keep stacking up for the Edmonton as they drop another 2 huge points last night against the Buffalo Sabres. Although the team's collective effort wasn't up to par, one player in particular has landed in the hot-seat and could soon face a demotion if things don't improve.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has always been a stable veteran presence on the Oil. His two-way game is solid, and he's proven capable to contribute offensively when needed.
That said, Nuge seems to be fighting it this year.
Having scored 100+ points just two season's ago, his decline is performance has been significant and, has unfortunately, been impacting the team.
While the Oilers fight to find consistency in their game, it might be time to consider relegating RNH to a third line role and giving the PP a fresh look.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could face demotion
According to Oilers insider Jason Gregor, Connor McDavid needs to play with a winger who can generate plays, and Nugent-Hopkins hasn't been effective enough to stay on his line.
In his 14th NHL season, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is having one of the least productive 5×5 performances of his career. He has 8-8-16 in 63 games.Nugent-Hopkins, like many Oilers forwards, is having a below average season 5×5, and while he's only played 52.5% of his 829 minutes with Connor McDavid, I wonder if head coach Kris Knoblauch should look at a different left winger, not named Leon Draisaitl, to skate on McDavid's left wing.
-Jason Gregor
In addition to his 5v5 struggles, he hasn't looked dynamic on the Oilers PP at all.
So, is it time for a change? iIf so, who replaces him?
According to Gregor, Finnish forward Kasperi Kapanen could potentially be a reasonable fit moving forward.
Kapanen has played 70 minutes with McDavid (without Draisaitl), and they are 4-3 in goals and outshot the opposition 39-31. Kapanen is a very good skater, and he has a bomb of a shot. He is a right shot, however, so not a natural left winger. But he's played left wing, right wing and centre this year.-Jason Gregor
With the playoffs fast approaching, Kris Knoblauch will need to make some strategic decisions, or the Oilers could find themselves in trouble.
