Nugent-Hopkins out for Oilers’ opener

Veteran centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will miss the Edmonton Oilers' season opener due to a lower-body injury. The Oilers announced the news on Tuesday, just hours before they began their season against the Vancouver Canucks. Nugent-Hopkins, who is entering his 16th season with the team after being drafted first overall in 2011, had 20 goals and 36 assists last year while playing in 72 games. He has scored 804 points (291 goals, 513 assists) across 1,031 regular-season games with Edmonton.

Nugent-Hopkins is set to lead Edmonton's second line this season, and the absence of the veteran could force new coach Mike Babcock to play stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at centre on separate lines against the Canucks. When inquired about Nugent-Hopkins' length of absence, Babcock stated, "Any time they tell me day to day that usually means two weeks."

He also confirmed that goaltender Tristan Jarry will be starting in goal for the Oilers, while recently acquired Frederik Andersen will be out until December due to a knee injury.