Versatile Nugent-Hopkins embraces two-way role
When the Edmonton Oilers selected Ryan Nugent-Hopkins first overall in 2011, the last thing they thought they were getting was a solid second-line, two-way forward.
But that’s what he’s becoming. And that’s a big part of why they’re winning.
Nugent-Hopkins might not be what the Oilers expected, but his metamorphosis is exactly what they need.
“It’s changed quite a bit,” the 24-year-old centre said of his role on the team. “Any young kid coming out of junior, your game evolves a little bit. Mine has done so, and I think I’m a lot more comfortable at this point in that job.
“This year was a little bit of a transition role, and I embraced it as well as I could. I’m comfortable in it and I enjoy doing it. It’s fun when you can shut those top guys in the league down and put up offensively at the same time.”
After being conditioned his whole life to evaluate his performance on points, he is learning to take pride in a shutdown role.
“I’m happy to do it. It’s a little different from when I first started out, but I enjoy going out there and doing a good job against them, not giving them anything.
“You start to see a little bit of frustration creep in. And I know from the other side of things that it does get frustrating. That’s when they start fighting it a little more and offence opens up for us, too. It’s a different role, but I enjoy it more and you see rewards, too.
“The NHL is such a team game — every player and every little play counts, and a job like that definitely is important.”
For head coach Todd McLellan, proof that Nugent-Hopkins could transform himself into a checking centre came last summer with Team North America.
“To me, the World Cup really solidified my belief in him, how well he played in those situations,” said McLellan. “He was never talked about, not noticed. Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel got all the recognition, but there wasn’t much talk about NugentHopkins or JT Miller or Sean Couturier, who played specific roles that are essential to winning.
“We like the flash, we like the story, but there’s always a secondary story that’s important to winning, especially at this time of year.”
McLellan says Nugent-Hopkins, like most first overall picks, was pigeonholed into being a one-way guy at the start, but certainly has the skills to expand his game.
“He has the tools to be a tremendous two-way player,” said McLellan. “When you are chosen at that spot in the draft, you often come in as a one-dimensional offensive player. In his situation here, he was thrust into that role and he produced, and that’s the way he was going to go. He had some good years, but the team didn’t win a lot and it’s always about the team.
“He’s got a tremendous hockey IQ and brain and a skill set that goes with it. He’s a very competitive player on loose pucks, he stays overtop of them. Those are all qualities of two-way guys.”
His points are down, but there’s more to the game than goals and assists. Proof of that came in the San Jose series, in which he scored zero points but did a masterful job in quieting Joe Pavelski when the Oilers got the matchups they wanted at home.
“If you are struggling a little bit offensively, you can take solace in the fact that you’re doing a good job defensively, not giving up opportunities or being scored on fiveon-five,” he said.
“I try to embrace it. I thought our whole line did a good job of not giving them too much. We did have a lot of offensive zone time. The more that we play in the ‘O’ zone, the less time they have to play in our zone. We have to keep that going and make sure that whoever we face in the next series we do the same thing.”
His teammates definitely recognize what he brings to the table and appreciate how it helps the overall cause.
“People get on him about (a drop in offence), but he’s still a great offensive player,” said Connor McDavid. “He always has that threat of breaking out at any time. In terms of his defensive play, he’s been so good ... He’s definitely a huge asset for us.”
I’m comfortable in it and I enjoy doing it. It’s fun when you can shut those top guys in the league down and put up offensively at the same time.