What do you do with Nugent-Hopkins?

[Ravin]

So the Oilers have already signed an entry level deal with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and with very little added to the team this off season, they basically re going to have to rely on their young guys to get anything done.

So the real question now is, do you bring Nugent-Hopkins into the line up now, or do you send him back to juniors for at least another season.

Hopkins is small at 6"1', 175lbs, and he was left off Canada's World Junior team, so he hasn't had that experience either. He is a shoe in to get on and probably lead this years team, but with Edmonton most likely going to end up picking in the top 5 again, it will be hard for Oiler fans to not want to bring him in now and see what he can do with Hall.

I personally believe another year of junior is what he needs. He needs to add some weight, and I believe a world junior tournament would be great for his development. Bringing him in now would be throwing him to the wolves, as with a shitty Oilers team, he basically is going to be screwed and could end up hurt, much like last years #1 pick did.

I have a feeling Edmonton is going to rush him in though. I just think they badly want away from the last spot and will do what it takes to do it. Though another tanking season would mean the prospect of a Yakupov - Hopkins - Hall top line in Edmonton, and my god, that was just be insane.

So what do you do with Hopkins?

[trojan49er]

ideally you let him spend one more year in juniors...i just dont know if the Oilers or their fans are going to be patient enough to let that happen

[Obst]

Honestly I think everyone in Edmonton knows this team right now is not built for a deep playoff run. So why not give the fans some excitement and let him play, at least the fans have something to get excited about every night coming to the stadium with Eberle, Hall Gagner, Hopkins and Paajarvi on the ice. The worst thing that happens is the team continues to lose and they get a shot at taking Yakupov next year and getting even a stronger young core. I say you give RNH the NHL experience and get ready to keep adding to the young core. In 4-5 years this team could be one of the best in the league if all this talent continues to pan out.

[Ravin]

Thing is, it isn't about NHL experience, it is about him not getting knocked the fuck out. He is a really slender kid, not big at all. And people are worried that if he goes up against some of the Dmen in the league, he is going to have serious injuries. Hopkins going into a corner against a Pronger or Chara would be a nightmare. Throwing him to the wolves for the sake of the fans doesn't help the fans in the future. Sure it may be fun to watch, but if gets hurt in the first 20 games and is done, well, there goes that NHL experience, as well as a future in the NHL.

Edmonton's problems run so deep that putting him up doesn't make much sense. They will still be a top 5 pick next season with or without him. Might as well leave him in juniors and give him that World Junior feeling. With it being in Canada again next season, and in his home side of the country, that experience will be just as good for him.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

If they wanted someone to play right now, should have taken Landeskog...you should have RNH play a year in juniors.