Edmonton Oilers veteran centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will miss the team’s season opener against the visiting Vancouver Canucks because of a lower-body injury. The club announced the ailment Tuesday, hours before the game. The Canadian Press first published this report on Sept. 29, 2026.

Nugent-Hopkins, a forward from Burnaby, B.C., is beginning his 16th season with Edmonton, which selected him first overall in the 2011 NHL draft. Last season, he scored 20 goals, reaching that total for the seventh time in his career, and added 36 assists in 72 games. Across 1,031 regular-season games with the Oilers, he has recorded 804 points, including 291 goals and 513 assists.

He is expected to centre Edmonton’s second line this season. His absence may lead new coach Mike Babcock to use Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the team’s superstars, at centre on separate lines against Vancouver. Asked how long Nugent-Hopkins would be out, Babcock said: “Any time they tell me day to day that usually means two weeks”

Babcock also confirmed Tristan Jarry will start in goal. Recently acquired goaltender Frederik Andersen is out until December with a knee injury.

Based on reporting by Global News Edmonton.