Nugent-Hopkins (lower body) might be available for Thursday's game against Carolina, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton.
Nugent-Hopkins is expected to miss Edmonton's next two games before he has a chance to return. He hasn't played yet this campaign, but he finished 2025-26 with 20 goals and 56 points in 72 regular-season appearances. There's a fair chance Nugent-Hopkins will serve as the third-line center once healthy, but he also might shift to the wing to play on one of the top-two lines.