Ryan Nugent-Hopkins out with lower-body injury for Oilers
Fantasy hockey: The veteran forward is out with no timetable, wiping his three-game week and opening 3:42 of power-play time for Leon Draisaitl or Zach Hyman.
By Fantasy Roundup Staff · September 29, 2026
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is out with a lower-body injury and there is no return date. The Oilers centre cannot play while sidelined, turning what was a three-game week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) into zero starts for fantasy managers.
The absence creates a hole on Edmonton's top power-play unit, where Nugent-Hopkins had been logging 3:42 a night. Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman are the likeliest candidates to absorb those minutes while the 0.73 points-per-game producer recovers.
Fantasy impact
Player by player
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Nugent-Hopkins is out and cannot contribute to fantasy rosters until he is activated. His three-game week disappears entirely while he sits, and managers rostering him will need to find replacement production. Over 217 games he has posted 0.73 points per game with a 0.35 power-play points per game rate, numbers that evaporate from your lineup for as long as he remains in the press box.
The 19:09 a night skater was anchoring the top power-play unit with 3:42 of man-advantage time per game, ranking fourth on the team in power-play ice time. His absence opens that role for a teammate, with Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman next in line. His model process score sits at 39, reflecting middling underlying metrics even when healthy.
What to do
• Bench Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in all formats until he is activated from injury.
• Monitor Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman for increased power-play time while Nugent-Hopkins is out.
• Stream a replacement centre if your league format requires a full lineup this week.
• Check injury updates daily for a timetable on Nugent-Hopkins' return to action.
Schedule this week
Quick answers
Should I start Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this week?
No. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is out, so he cannot score fantasy points until he is back in the lineup. Move him to an IR slot if your league has one, or bench him and fill the spot from the wire.
Should I pick up Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in fantasy hockey?
No, not while he is out. Only stash him if you have an open IR spot.
Players in this story
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C, EDM) · fantasy outlook: value down
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