Music: {allcanada} NUGENT-HOPKINS' GAME EVOLVES

Thursday, October 25, 2012

{allcanada} NUGENT-HOPKINS' GAME EVOLVES

In describing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' first-star performance Tuesday night in Oklahoma City's 4-3 win over the Lake Erie Monsters, The Edmonton Sun observes something was different about him.

But what was different wasn't the two goals. Or the assist.

It was that he was winning faceoffs. It was that he was playing a much more physical game.

Nugent-Hopkins was a finalist at the NHL Awards for the Calder as Rookie of the Year after his 18-goal, 52-point season in 62 games played last year. But his faceoff percentage was a dreadful 37.5. The Nuge ended up ranked 413th in the league.

"We have him at 50-41 and 54.9% for the season so far," said Barons head coach Todd Nelson.

"I know it's one of the things he really wanted to work on. He sat down in my office and told me he wanted to work on my draws at the start of the season. He's out there after every practice. And he's coming in to watch video. He made a lot of changes and has been doing a little experimenting. It's just now that it's really starting to show."

Nugent-Hopkins's two Oilers teammates and linemates, Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall, see the change in the 6-foot, now 185-pound centre too.

"He looks a lot beefier in the dressing room," said Eberle.

"He just looks stronger."

His right winger said The Nuge has come here with a great attitude.

"There are parts of the game he wants to work on. He's been doing it here. And as he works on the things he works on, well, success at those things comes with confidence."

Hall, who has spent the week practising with the team without wearing the bring yellow no-contact jersey, has sat in the stands watching The Nuge play with an eye to returning from his shoulder surgery to start playing on the left side of the line with RNH and Eberle as early as next week.

"This is a different game in the AHL," said the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft.

"You have to be gritty. Once you get a little physical you can let the skill come out.

"I've really been noticing he's been finishing his checks.

"He's a year older. He's put on a little weight. That's not a bad thing to have happen to him. People didn't give him enough credit last year for going into corners. When you have three skilled guys on a line, someone has to do that work in one situation or another.

"And when it comes to faceoffs, you only get better by taking them.

"Sidney Crosby was only 38% in his first year in the league. Now he's one of the best in the league."