To kick off the 2017-18 campaign, the 24-year-old has two goals in three games and appears much more improved from previous years. In fact, though it’s early, he is showing flashes of his former self, and there appears to be more edge behind his game to start the year.
oilers
In his first full 82-game season last year, the former first-overall pick had 18 goals and 43 points. He was also a minus-10. And though his totals weren’t the worst, they were unimpressive given his salary and role as a second-line centre.
With Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle being shipped out, there might have been a wake-up call or silent message for Nugent-Hopkins to improve and contribute more.