Ryan Nugent-Hopkins may not generate the fantasy hockey hype of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, but overlooking him heading into the 2026-27 NHL season could be a mistake. My projection for Nugent-Hopkins is 24 goals, 45 assists and 69 points, putting the Edmonton Oilers forward within striking distance of another 70-point campaign.
That might look aggressive after Nugent-Hopkins finished last season with 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points in 72 games, but there is an important number fantasy managers need to consider: his scoring pace.
Nugent-Hopkins produced 0.78 points per game last season. Stretch that production across a full 82-game schedule and you’re already looking at approximately 64 points before accounting for any additional power-play production or offensive improvement.
Then consider his environment.
Few complementary forwards in fantasy hockey get the opportunity to share Edmonton’s power play with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard. That alone gives Nugent-Hopkins a ceiling that can exceed his even-strength production and makes him one of the more intriguing secondary Oilers to target on fantasy draft day.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 2026-27 Fantasy Hockey Projection
My projected stat line for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2026-27 is:
24 goals
45 assists
69 points
The starting point for my projection is straightforward. Nugent-Hopkins’ 56 points in 72 games last season translate to roughly 64 points over an 82-game schedule.
I’m then applying a modest offensive increase based primarily on his special-teams opportunity and the possibility of improved availability over a full season. That pushes my projection into the upper-60s rather than automatically predicting another massive career year.
That’s an important distinction.
I’m not expecting Nugent-Hopkins to suddenly become a 90-point fantasy monster. What makes him appealing is that he doesn’t necessarily need to drive his own line offensively to return strong fantasy value. His deployment alongside some of hockey’s most dangerous offensive players can create points simply through puck movement, secondary assists, rebounds and power-play sequences.
Why the Edmonton Oilers Power Play Raises Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ Fantasy Ceiling
This is where I believe Nugent-Hopkins has an advantage over similarly ranked fantasy forwards.
Edmonton’s power play gives him exposure to McDavid and Draisaitl, two players capable of turning an ordinary possession into a scoring chance almost instantly. Add Hyman around the net and Bouchard distributing and shooting from the blue line, and Nugent-Hopkins doesn’t need to be the focal point to accumulate fantasy production.
For fantasy managers, power-play deployment matters enormously.
A 55- to 60-point forward with limited special-teams usage can have a fairly rigid ceiling. Nugent-Hopkins has another path to production. If Edmonton’s top unit gets hot, a stretch of power-play assists can quickly turn an average fantasy month into an excellent one.
I’d therefore place Nugent-Hopkins in the category of a high-floor fantasy forward with legitimate 70-point upside.
He becomes particularly attractive in leagues that count power-play points, and his value increases further if another manager focuses too heavily on last season’s raw 56-point total without accounting for the fact that he only appeared in 72 games.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 1031 | 291 | 513 | 804 | -28 |
| Playoffs | 102 | 25 | 61 | 86 | -15 |
Is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Worth Drafting in Fantasy Hockey?
Yes, at the right draft position.
I wouldn’t reach several rounds early simply because Nugent-Hopkins plays with Edmonton. However, if he’s sitting on the board after higher-profile names have disappeared, he can become an excellent value selection.
My biggest reason is opportunity.
Fantasy hockey managers spend a lot of time trying to predict breakout players, but sometimes the better strategy is finding established players attached to elite offensive situations. Nugent-Hopkins has already demonstrated that he can produce at a high level when everything aligns.
The downside is that his fantasy ceiling remains dependent on deployment and health. He also shares touches with McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard, meaning there will inevitably be nights when Edmonton scores several goals and Nugent-Hopkins isn’t heavily involved.
But over an entire season, I like the percentages.
Last season’s scoring rate created an approximately 64-point full-season baseline. Add his power-play opportunity and a modest increase in production, and 24 goals, 45 assists and 69 points feels like a realistic target rather than an overly optimistic prediction.
If you’re looking for a fantasy forward who might not receive superstar attention on draft day but still offers exposure to one of hockey’s most dangerous offensive groups, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins deserves to be on your shortlist.
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