The Edmonton Oilers appear to be on the verge of securing the services of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for almost a decade more. According to a report by Ryan Rishaug of TSN, the Oilers and the forward are nearing the conclusion of a lengthy extension deal negotiation that would have Edmonton as Nugent-Hopkins' NHL home for the rest of his prime years and into the twilight of his hockey-playing career.

“Oilers and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins set to announce a new 8 year 41 million dollar deal today. Includes a no movement clause.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is coming off a down campaign, notwithstanding a shortened season. He finished the 2020-21 NHL regular season with just 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points. That being said, he still managed to have a 51.9 CF% and 55.53 xGF%.

The 28-year-old forward had his previous seven-year deal with the Oilers that's worth $42 million set to expire at the end of the current season. In extending Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers will have him together with Connor McDavid for at least the end of the 2025-26 NHL season. By that time, McDavid's current deal would have run out.

This gives the Oilers ample time to get over the hump in the playoffs and bring a Stanley Cup title to Edmonton for the first time since Wayne Gretzky's heydays with McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins, and Leon Draisaitl forming the team's offensive backbone.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was taken first overall by the Oilers back in the 2011 NHL Draft.