Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins blocks shot, suffers long-term hand injury

Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins left Monday night’s win over the Panthers with what has been diagnosed as a long-term hand injury after blocking a shot

After an uplifting win in Florida, the Edmonton Oilers’ season may have taken another turn for the worse.

Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins blocked a shot during a Panthers power play in the second period of a 4–2 Oilers win and left the ice afterwards. He suffered what Oilers coach Todd McLellan is calling a long-term hand injury.

For weeks now, Nugent-Hopkins has been the subject of trade rumors. The Oilers are in desperate need of help on the back end, and a young forward with offensive upside is always in demand in the NHL.

But those trade rumors may have met their demise on Monday night.

Nugent-Hopkins assisted on Taylor Hall’s first-period goal and has eight goals and 22 assists through 46 games. The NHL’s trade deadline is Feb. 29.