Oilers need more from Nugent-Hopkins
Pull up your socks.
That's the message from Edmonton Oilers coach Todd McLellan to a group of players, including forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, whose lagging production has been a key factor in the team's recent skid.
After a terrific start to the season, in which the Oilers won seven of eight, the team has won just five of its last 16 games and no longer sits atop the Pacific.
Suddenly, there is a creeping possibility that the Oilers could once again miss the postseason dance, marking the 11th consecutive season, which would surpass an NHL record set by the once lowly Florida Panthers.
The Oilers' record hasn't been as strong in recent weeks, and part of that reflects Nugent-Hopkins' performance, who has scored just 10 points - a career-low 0.42 points per game this season.
| Season | GP | G | A | Pts | Pts/GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 24 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0.42 |
| 2015-16 | 55 | 12 | 22 | 34 | 0.62 |
| 2014-15 | 76 | 24 | 32 | 56 | 0.74 |
| 2013-14 | 80 | 19 | 37 | 56 | 0.70 |
| 2012-13 | 40 | 4 | 20 | 24 | 0.60 |
| 2011-12 | 62 | 18 | 34 | 52 | 0.84 |
"It's too early to analyze based on standings," McLellan told reporters following practice Wednesday. "If I'm a fan, I'm analyzing based on performance, and I wouldn't be very pleased with our performance over the last few games. There is no doubt that (Nugent-Hopkins) is one of those players that needs to pick his socks up and give us better performances."
As for Nugent-Hopkins, the young center believes he's gotten away from the defensive game that brought him success early in the season and at the World Cup as part of Team North America.
"I think there have been a few mistakes that I've made that have cost us, and then it looks like you're not playing well defensively," Nugent-Hopkins told reporters. "I need to get back to that same mindset I had at the start of the year, obviously defense-first, and being sharp all the time. One little breakdown can cost you."