It appears the Edmonton Oilers and forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are closing in on a long-term deal in the neighbourhood of eight years at $5 million per season.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Tuesday that the two sides "have made significant progress on an extension" after a lengthy negotiation. The new deal is also set to include a full no-move clause.
The 2020-21 campaign marked the final season of a seven-year, $42-million deal Nugent-Hopkins signed back in 2013. His new deal appears set to shave off around $1 million from the average annual value of his previous contract, but will mean the longtime Oiler likely finishes his career in Edmonton, the new deal — and its no-move clause — running until he's 35 years old.
A No. 1 pick by Edmonton back in 2011, Nugent-Hopkins' best statistical seasons in an Oilers sweater have come in the recent phase of his career, as he put up a career-high 28 goals and 69 points in 2018-19, and his second-best marks (22 goals, 61 points in 65 games) in 2019-20.
He finished the condensed 2020-21 season with 35 points through 52 games.
With Nugent-Hopkins looking likely to be locked up long term, the Oilers will move forward with him, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl signed for the next four seasons, while James Neal, Zack Kassian and Devin Shore have a couple more years on the books as well.
