Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is set to play his 1,038th regular-season game with the Edmonton Oilers against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, moving past Kevin Lowe for the franchise record. It is a milestone that deserves more than a pregame tribute. When his career ends, the Oilers should retire his No. 93.
That argument extends beyond longevity. Nugent-Hopkins has become a connection between different generations of Oilers hockey, remaining through the difficult years and helping build the team that eventually emerged from them. His place in franchise history reflects both his contributions and his commitment.
A Constant Through Edmonton’s Changing Eras
Selected first overall in 2011, Nugent-Hopkins arrived with the weight of Edmonton’s rebuild on his shoulders. Since then, he has played alongside more than 250 teammates and under 10 coaches, remaining a constant through years of change.
Through that turnover, he gave Edmonton continuity. Fans who watched him enter the league have followed his development into a veteran whose value reaches beyond scoring. His willingness to handle different responsibilities has helped him remain useful as the roster’s needs have changed.
There is something meaningful about watching a player grow with a city. Nugent-Hopkins represents years of shared frustration, renewed expectations and belief. For supporters who stayed invested through the “rebuild”decade of darkness”, seeing him reach this milestone carries an emotional weight that another franchise’s games-played record might not.
His teammates clearly understand that connection. The Oilers’ pregame tribute included commemorative shirts and a video featuring family, current teammates and former teammates. Nugent-Hopkins’ response captured the occasion simply: “I feel the love.”
His Commitment Reaches Beyond the Rink
His relationship with Edmonton also includes the people who need support away from hockey. The NHLPA’s community profile documented his desire to give back from the beginning of his career. “I just wanted to get involved,” he said. That attitude matters because a player’s standing in a community develops through actions repeated over time.
His support for Cystic Fibrosis Canada is particularly significant. Edmonton’s milestone coverage highlights that work alongside his selection as the club’s 2025-26 King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominee. Those contributions strengthen his legacy. Fans can appreciate the player while also valuing how he has used his position to help others.
No. 93 Belongs in the Rafters
Edmonton should maintain a high standard for jersey retirement. Playing the most games should strengthen a case, rather than settle it automatically. Nugent-Hopkins’ case meets a broader test: sustained importance to the team, a lasting bond with supporters and meaningful service to the community. His record brings those qualities into focus.
Retiring his jersey would recognize a distinct chapter of Oilers history and the player who helped connect its hardest years with its renewed ambitions. Championship banners celebrate what teams accomplish together. A retired number can also honour someone who helped define what belonging to that team means. When Nugent-Hopkins is finished, No. 93 should remain his.
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