Since Nugent-Hopkins was taken by the Edmonton Oilers with the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, he has filled a lot of roles: The first-unit power play, on the penalty kill, and playing predominately a top-six role through his entire time with the Oilers.

He's also performed in big moments. His two assists in Edmonton's 4-1 against the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of the 2025 Western Conference Final made him the first Oilers player to get at least nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the first four games of a conference final since Wayne Gretzky had 10 against the Detroit Red Wings in 1988.

Nugent-Hopkins scored in his 1,000th NHL game, a 5-0 win against the St. Louis Blues in Edmonton on Jan. 18, 2026. He learned about overcoming adversity early in his hockey career.

His slight build meant he had to work harder than the bigger kids he was playing against, including his older brother, Adam.

In his second year of pee-wee hockey eligibility, Nugent-Hopkins did not play competitive hockey at all. His parents, Debbie Nugent and Roger Hopkins, had divorced, and Roger was diagnosed with lymphoma and required surgery to remove his spleen.

The tight family finances meant Nugent-Hopkins took a sabbatical from hockey, though he worked out with a trainer that season.

Not that the hiatus held him back. Nugent-Hopkins was the No. 1 pick in the Western Hockey League Bantam Draft in 2008 and soon emerged as an elite scorer for Red Deer. He had 31 goals and 106 points in 2010-11. As a rookie, Nugent-Hopkins had 52 points in 62 games. He finished second to Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog in voting for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the League's top rookie.

Nugent-Hopkins played half the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season with Oklahoma City, Edmonton's American Hockey League affiliate, then joined Canada's national junior team, which named him captain. Though Canada finished fourth at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, Nugent-Hopkins was named the tournament's best forward.

Nugent-Hopkins had shoulder surgery April 23, 2013, which ended his season five games early. He signed a seven-year contract with the Oilers on Sept. 19 and played the 2015 Honda NHL All-Star Game before finishing the season with 56 points (24 goals, 32 assists).

Shortly after returning from a rib injury March 3, 2018, Nugent-Hopkins was shifted from center to left wing on a line with Connor McDavid. He was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.

Nugent-Hopkins reached 100 points for the first time in his NHL career during Edmonton's 3-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks on April 5, 2023. He, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl made the Oilers the first NHL team since the 1995-96 Pittsburgh Penguins with three players (Jaromir Jagr, Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis) to accomplish the feat in the same season. Nugent-Hopkins was also the sixth player in NHL history to get his first 100-point season in his 12th season or later. He and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (2021-22, 14th season) were the only ones to achieve the feat in 50 years.