Nugent-Hopkins (lower body) will be sidelined against Utah on Thursday, Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports.
Nugent-Hopkins has been skating with his teammates but will not be ready to get into the lineup Thursday. In 72 regular-season games last year, the 33-year-old center produced 20 goals and 36 assists, including 29 power-play points. Once given the all-clear, Nugent-Hopkins figures to slot into a top-six role while also seeing power-play minutes.