EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Top overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will start the season with the Edmonton Oilers.
He is set to make his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins at home on Sunday.
The 18-year-old Nugent-Hopkins might yet end up back in junior hockey because Edmonton has roster decisions remaining.
The Oilers have a nine-game window in which to look at him without using up a year of his entry-level contract, but he’ll be in the lineup Sunday.
Based on the lines coach Tom Renney used Monday, that debut could come on the first line between Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky as a reward for leading the Oilers in preseason scoring with one goal and five assists.
