Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

The Edmonton Oilers begin their season against the Vancouver Canucks tonight without forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who is sidelined with a lower-body injury. The team confirmed he will miss the season opener, and fans are discussing how the Oilers will adjust their lineup in his absence.

Edmonton Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will miss the team's season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, according to Sportsnet. The news lands as Oilers fans look over the club's schedule heading into the new NHL season, with the absence of a key forward raising questions about the lineup for the opening night matchup between the two Western Canadian rivals.

Edmonton Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is out for the team's season opener, according to TSN's Oilers Ice Chips update. The report also notes new coach Mike Babcock may experiment by splitting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on separate lines. Nugent-Hopkins' absence leaves a hole in Edmonton's top six and raises questions about how the forward group will be shuffled for the opener.