BLOG: RNH focused on season, not contract extension

EDMONTON, AB - Winning first, contract later.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has his priorities set with the 2020-21 season finally slated to begin on Jan. 13, even though he's entering the final year of his seven-year deal signed back in September 2013.
Despite the expiring contract, the veteran forward and first-overall pick from the 2011 NHL Draft told 630 CHED's Reid Wilkins on Monday his primary focus will be helping the Oilers start strong in the 56-game season that will see them play exclusively Canadian opponents.
"Obviously a weird, different time to be talking contracts," Nugent-Hopkins said of the unprecedented circumstances amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. "Right now I'm just focused on getting the season started. In my mind, I know it's there, but I'm going to put it on the back burner and just really focus on getting the season going and getting started the right way."

Oilers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Ken Holland also spoke to the media on Monday and addressed the status of Nugent-Hopkins, who would become an unrestricted free agent on July 28 as per the revised key dates released by the NHL.
"His agent Rick Valette and I had many conversations during the two weeks around free agency in October," Holland said. "But the marketplace has changed so much that basically our conversations have ended, and I would hope at some point once we get up and running we can pick back up and see if we can find a solution to keep Nuge in an Oilers uniform. Certainly that's my goal, but the deal's got to work for Ryan and for the Oilers."
Nugent-Hopkins is coming off his best season from a points-per-game perspective as he scored 22 goals and 39 assists in 65 games, catching fire on a line with Leon Draisaitl and Kailer Yamamoto in the second half. The 27-year-old was one of the top scorers in the NHL from New Year's Eve on, recording 42 of his 61 total points in the final 30 games before the pause in March.