BLOG: Nugent-Hopkins searching for more offence in versatile role

LAS VEGAS, NV - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is biding his time and putting in the work to finally break out in these Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The longest-tenured Edmonton Oiler has been able to contribute four assists (three on the power play) through seven games so far this post-season, but the former first-overall pick in 2011 still knows he has more offensive to give after cracking the 100-point mark for the first time in his 12 seasons wearing Blue & Orange with 37 goals and 67 assists this past regular season.

"I felt good last night," Nugent-Hopkins said of his play in Edmonton's Game 1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. "You want to be able to produce and be an effective player in whatever aspect of the game you can be when it comes to playoffs. But obviously, I think I've got to shoot the puck a little bit more and try to create a little bit more."

Nugent-Hopkins touches so many facets of the game for the Oilers that when the offence isn't exactly flowing, there are still multiple ways for the 29-year-old to have an impact on the result.

"I think Ryan is working and endeavouring to be an important piece of our lineup on a night-in, night-out basis. I don't fault his effort, his attention to detail or anything like that," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said.

"It hasn't gone in for him in these playoffs through seven games at the rate it had during the regular season, but I think you would be remiss if you just measured his contribution solely on offensive production."

Nugent-Hopkins is averaging over 20 minutes of ice time in the playoffs (20:19) while playing in a versatile top-six role and operating in Edmonton's power play and penalty kill that are better with the Burnaby, BC product's involvement.

"When things are slowing down offensively, you've got to be able to take care of things on the defensive side," Nugent-Hopkins added. "I do get to go out there on the PK and PP and try to, as I said, just contribute to anyway I can."

Becoming into a player that has different ways he can have an impact over just contributing goals and assists is an detail of Nugent-Hopkins' game that he's developed as his career has progressed.

"I've tried to round out my game as my career has gone on here -- to be a 200-foot player and be able to contribute in different areas of the game," he said. "And when I say that, I still obviously want to be able to help out on the offensive side of things, and sometimes you need an extra role.

"I've been able to find a way to contribute to that too, but you definitely have to be able to touch different parts of the game and be an effective player one way or another.