Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been cleared by team doctors and is set to play his first game of the season on Monday when Edmonton hosts the New Jersey Devils.
Nugent-Hopkins, 20, was expected to miss at least one month of this campaign after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder last April.
Nugent-Hopkins had four goals and 24 points in 40 games last season before his injury.
Edmonton signed the Burnaby, B.C., native to a seven-year, US$42 million extension on Sept. 19 in another move to lock up its talented young corps of forwards long term.
When asked whether Taylor Hall, a natural left-winger, would remain at centre upon Nugent-Hopkins return, Edmonton head coach Dallas Eakins merely said “suddenly it’s a nice problem to have.”
The Oilers are still missing projected first-line centre Sam Gagner who broke his jaw in the pre-season. Gagner told reporters today that he would have to wear a face-shield until at least the Olympic break upon his return to the lineup.
