Ryan Nugent-Hopkins makes case as the true number 1 overall draft pick of his class
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When a Stanley Cup winning coach compares a player to some of the NHL's greatest, it's best you take note, as was the case when Marc Crawford commented on former 1st-overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
"I can't help but think boy oh boy," Crawford said. "Edmonton has seen this type of player before. They've seen Dougie Weight, they've seen Guerin; but they've also seen Gretzky and Kurri. I'm not saying they're exactly like them, but boy oh boy."
Oilers' fans know exactly what Marc Crawford meant, having watched Ryan play for their team the last 14 years, since he was drafted 1st overall in 2011, despite their presumably being better players whom to choose from that year's draft class.
Gabriel Landeskog was drafted 2nd, Jonathan Huberdeau 3rd, Ryan Strome 5th, and even Scheifele was 7th, and Dougie Hamilton 9th, all, whom according to the a Hockey News 2011 re-draft article, should have been picked ahead of Nugent-Hopkins.
That may, or may not be so; it depends on the what one considers to be the criteria. When you're being compared to Hockey Hall of Famers, it's not to be taken lightly.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins plays a true 200 foot game, relying on his defensive prowess and excellent hockey sense to make the right plays, which he often does, tape-to-tape passes that spring the world's best hockey player for scoring chances, as he did many times in 2018, when he was moved from center to Connor McDavid's left wing. He was also nominated for the King Clancy Memorial award that year, for his leadership qualities.
"It's hard to imagine the Oilers over the last 14 years without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the team," reports an OilersNation article "who will go down as one of the franchise's greatest players. His longevity has been tremendous as has his ability to show up in the big moments.
He's played in 96 playoff games for the Oilers in his career, scoring 23 goals, 58 assists and 81 points. Among those drafted in 2011, his games played ranks fifth, his goals eighth, his assists second and his points third."
He's played in 96 playoff games for the Oilers in his career, scoring 23 goals, 58 assists and 81 points. Among those drafted in 2011, his games played ranks fifth, his goals eighth, his assists second and his points third."
Early in his career, RNH overcame adversity and had to play that much harder to compensate for his smaller build; he found success by relying on his skills, as well as his versatility. He's played on the power play and penalty kill, and has relied on tenacity and defensive awareness to get the coach's tap in big moments - and often responds.
Some hockey fans may think that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is not a true number-1 draft pick; but they'll be hard pressed to convince anyone in Edmonton, who watch him play every night, and know his true value to the club.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 6 | 392 ANSWERS Ryan Nugent-Hopkins makes case as the true number 1 overall draft pick of his class Will RNH's jersey hang in the rafters when he retires, together with the other Oiler greats? | ||
| yes | 317 | 80.9 % |
| no | 75 | 19.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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