The Edmonton Oilers are nearing a fully healthy lineup.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is set to make his season debut against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night, after missing the first nine games with an undisclosed injury. There were questions about how his return would affect the lineup, and we got an answer at morning skate at Rogers Place.
Head coach Mike Babcock has opted to keep Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together, while Nugent-Hopkins will slide in as the team’s second-line centre with Zach Hyman and Kasperi Kapanen on his wings.
“He’s a good player. Love having him back,” Babcock told reporters after practice. “He has to be kind to himself… When I watch the other guys [coming back from injury], they’re usually good for about two periods, and then the wheels come off.
“There’s going to be pace tonight for sure, and so it’ll be a challenge for them, but we’re excited to have him.”
#Oilers lineup against Hurricanes tonight:
Podkolzin-McDavid-Draisaitl
Hyman-RNH-Kapanen
Formenton-Michaels-Joseph
Frederic-Dach-HowardEkholm-Bouchard
Shea-Murphy
Walman-EmbersonLevi
— Preston Hodgkinson (@NHLHodgkinson) October 22, 2026
With the top-six set, a few minor changes will be coming for the rest of the forward group. The third line will remain unchanged, with rookie Owen Michaels pivoting between Alex Formenton and Mathieu Joseph, while Colton Dach will centre the fourth line with Trent Frederic and Isaac Howard.
While Nugent-Hopkins will play in a top-six role in his return, Babcock made sure to tell reporters that they won’t be throwing him directly into the fire. The longest-tenured Oilers player is usually a staple on both special teams units, but he will only get time on one of them against the Hurricanes.
“I foresee him being on the power play tonight,” Babcock said, confirming he will not be on the PK.
It will be a bit of a change to see RNH step back into the lineup as a centreman. He’s spent the majority of the last several seasons riding shotgun on McDavid’s wing. That change doesn’t seem to deter Babcock.
“That’s what he’s been his whole life,” Babcock said. “We think he’s a real good player, real good intelligence… I’ll watch over time and see if that becomes a real good line like I expect it to.”
Coach Babcock spoke following morning skate about getting Nugent-Hopkins up to speed in his season debut, #Oilers lines, the matchup vs. Carolina & more. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/t5x19774JV
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 22, 2026
Nugent-Hopkins may have over 1,000 NHL games under his belt, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t nerves playing in his first game of the season. He told reporters that he’s excited, but that it has also been fun watching the Oilers get off to their excellent 7-1-1 start to the season.
He’s hoping to keep the good times rolling.
“Doesn’t matter how long you’ve played, the first one you always have that excitement and a little bit of nerves,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “I had a couple games in preseason, but the regular season is a bit of a different animal. Obviously, do my best to get up to speed right away, try not to get in my head too much, just try to move my feet, support pucks, and see how it goes, but I’m definitely excited to get back out there.
“I’m sure if I’m not playing the right way, I’m doing stuff wrong, I’ll hear about it, so that’s a good thing, and I’m excited.”
"Not fun to start by missing time, but it's been a lot of fun to watch the guys play & how hard they're competing right now. I want to step in & try to emulate that as much as I can."
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins speaks ahead of making his season debut. @Enterprise | #Oilers pic.twitter.com/95bmhY4zV4
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 22, 2026
Devon Levi will get the start in Nugent-Hopkins’ season debut. The 24-year-old netminder has been excellent for the Oilers this season, posting a .931 SV% over his last five starts.
Puck drop against the Hurricanes is set for 7 p.m. MDT.