Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has become synonymous with the Edmonton Oilers. Selected first overall in the 2011 NHL Draft, he arrived in Edmonton during one of the darkest periods in franchise history. He endured losing seasons, coaching changes, management turnover and seemingly endless rebuilding before finally helping the Oilers become a consistent Stanley Cup contender.
He never requested a trade, publicly complained or looked for an easier path elsewhere. Instead, Nugent-Hopkins remained committed to the organization and city.
That loyalty has made “Nuge” one of the most beloved players of the modern Oilers era. In January 2026, he became the first player to appear in 1,000 NHL games exclusively for Edmonton. Before the celebration, the organization described him as one of the league’s premier all-around forwards because of his ability to contribute at even strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill.
Nugent-Hopkins also represents the organization away from the rink. His work in the community earned him Edmonton’s nomination for the 2026 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an award recognizing leadership and humanitarian contributions.
Replacing him will therefore mean finding more than another productive forward. The Oilers will eventually have to replace his versatility, intelligence, leadership and connection to Edmonton.
Oilers Cannot Ignore Nugent-Hopkins’ Age
Nugent-Hopkins is currently 33 and will turn 34 in April 2027. He remains an important top-six forward, but Edmonton cannot assume he will maintain that role indefinitely.
He recorded 56 points in 72 games during the 2025-26 season, including five points on the power play and two while shorthanded. Nugent-Hopkins has also produced at least 50 points in four of the past five seasons, highlighted by his 104-point career year in 2022-23.
His value has never been limited to point totals. He can play left wing alongside Connor McDavid, move back to centre when injuries strike, operate on the top power-play unit and kill penalties. That flexibility allows the coaching staff to change its lineup without dramatically disrupting the team.
However, the Oilers have already seen how quickly an older core can decline. Zach Hyman, Mattias Ekholm and Nugent-Hopkins are all entering the later stages of their careers. Waiting until Nugent-Hopkins can no longer handle a top-six role would leave Edmonton scrambling for an immediate replacement.
The organization should begin identifying younger forwards who can eventually produce between 60 and 70 points, play centre or wing and contribute on both special-teams units. Those players are difficult to acquire, but several around the NHL fit the profile.
Anton Lundell Could Grow Into the Role
Anton Lundell might be the most natural stylistic successor to Nugent-Hopkins. The Florida Panthers centre recorded 18 goals and 44 points in 64 games during the 2025-26 season. Although that falls short of the desired 60-point range, his production translates to approximately 56 points over 82 games. At 25, he still has time to take another offensive step.
Lundell already plays in every situation. He recorded 15 power-play points and two shorthanded goals in 2025-26, demonstrating that Florida trusts him at both ends of the ice. He could centre Edmonton’s third line initially, move into the top six when required and potentially play on McDavid or Leon Draisaitl’s wing.
The difficult part would be convincing Florida to trade him. Lundell is signed through 2029-30 at a manageable $5 million cap hit, giving the Panthers little motivation to move him.
Edmonton would likely have to offer a premium young player and significant draft capital. Nevertheless, Lundell is exactly the type of forward the Oilers should be searching for.
Robert Thomas Would Add Elite Playmaking
Robert Thomas would provide more offence than Lundell while still satisfying Edmonton’s need for versatility. He registered 25 goals and 64 points in only 64 games for the St. Louis Blues in 2025-26. That represented an 82-point pace. He also contributed 11 power-play assists, two shorthanded goals and finished with a plus-22 rating.
The right-shot centre is an excellent distributor who could complement either McDavid or Draisaitl. He could run Edmonton’s second power-play unit, provide another penalty-killing option and give the Oilers a legitimate top-six centre if they wanted to load up their first line.
Thomas would be extremely expensive. He is a foundational piece for St. Louis and is signed at an $8.125 million cap hit through 2030-31. The Blues would have no reason to consider a trade unless their competitive direction changed.
Still, the Oilers should monitor his situation. Players of Thomas’ age and ability rarely become available, but Edmonton must be prepared to act aggressively if one does.
Dylan Larkin may be the most attainable proven player on this list, especially if his future with the Detroit Red Wings remains uncertain. He scored 34 goals and 67 points in 74 games during the 2025-26 season. He has consistently produced around the 70-point mark, recording 79 points in 2022-23, 69 in 2023-24 and 70 in 2024-25.
He brings speed, leadership, faceoff ability and experience on both special teams. Larkin could immediately play in Edmonton’s top six and would give the Oilers another dangerous transition player. There are drawbacks. Larkin is already 30, carries an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31 and has trade protection. He would be more of a medium-term successor than a decade-long solution.
However, Edmonton’s championship window is open now. If the organization prioritizes winning over maintaining a young asset pool, Larkin could help bridge the gap between the current version of Nugent-Hopkins and Edmonton’s eventual next generation.
Nico Hischier Is the Ideal—but Nearly Impossible—Replacement
Nico Hischier represents the perfect Nugent-Hopkins replacement in theory. The New Jersey Devils captain recorded 28 goals and 66 points in 82 games last season. He is a responsible 200-foot centre, a proven power-play contributor and an experienced penalty killer. At 27, he is young enough to remain a core player for years.
Hischier could centre his own line, move to the wing beside one of Edmonton’s superstars and absorb difficult defensive matchups. His leadership would also help replace an intangible element of Nugent-Hopkins’ value. The problem is availability. New Jersey signed Hischier to a five-year, $58.5 million extension in July 2026, keeping its captain under contract through 2031-32. The agreement makes a trade highly unlikely and confirms that the Devils consider him central to their future.
For Edmonton, Hischier should be viewed more as the blueprint than a realistic target: a 60-to-70-point forward who can play in every situation and improve the lineup regardless of where he is deployed.
Edmonton Must Start Planning Now
The Oilers do not need to push Nugent-Hopkins out of the lineup. He remains productive, versatile and deeply important to both the team and city. The goal should be to reduce the burden on him before age forces the issue. Adding a younger two-way centre would allow Nugent-Hopkins to move into a more manageable role while preserving his power-play, penalty-killing and leadership value.
Lundell offers the best combination of age, cost and two-way upside. Thomas provides the highest offensive ceiling. Larkin is the most plausible win-now acquisition, while Hischier represents the ideal archetype Edmonton should pursue. Nugent-Hopkins can never truly be replaced in the eyes of Oilers fans. His loyalty through the franchise’s worst and best years has secured his place in Edmonton history.
His role on the ice, however, must eventually be filled. The smartest approach is to find that successor while Nugent-Hopkins is still capable of helping the next version of the Oilers take shape.
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