Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Again, it appears that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a good deal of leverage. Ken Holland has little if anything when it comes to filling the top-six left winger role. If Holland allows Nugent-Hopkins to leave, he has yet another slot to fill.
What can Holland afford to pay the forward is another question entirely? One thing the general manager has going for him is the wingers’ inconsistency. His numbers are a little erratic. Nugent-Hopkins driving play does not happen.
When he was centering the second line, it was a disaster.