That isn't going to boost RNH's value. Teams know that if you put good players with Elite players they will perform better.

Plus, the teams that are more likely to fork out for RNH are the ones that need legitimate centers. It's all up to him to continue to demonstrate his improvement in the D zone and face off dot but generate a little more offense. If he does that, in the first half of the season, somebody will come knocking.

It worked for Draisaitl.

Interesting tidbit that may open some eyes: only THREE NHL centers played more against the league's elite players than Nugent-Hopkins (42%) last year: Koivu (47%), Kesler (45%) and Kadri (44%). A quick look at their GF/60 and GA/60 against elites:

Koivu: 2.00 - 1.80
Kesler: 1.10 - 1.10
Kadri: 2.20 - 2.60
RNH: 1.60 - 1.90

Kadri is the best of the four offensively, but gives up more goals against than the others by a long way. Kesler is the best defensively but also doesn't generate offense either. Koivu and RNH are in the middle - good defensively and okay offensively, with Koivu being slightly positive against elites and RNH slightly negative.

Two of the three others are paid more than Nugent-Hopkins, yet you don't hear complaints about them being overpaid in part because they score more points overall - mostly due to the fact that they get prime PP time and RNH does not. If Nuge got 1PP time like Koivu and Kesler, his point totals would likely match theirs.

Overall I think he's one of the most underrated players in the league. McLellan loves him and has spoken very highly of him recently, the ONLY reason Edmonton would consider trading him is due to cap issues next summer.

Good analysis. I would say to your latter point that they CAN retain Nugent-Hopkins as he contains tremendous value to the Oilers but it would be at the cost of a FA like Maroon walking based on lack of cap space.

Either way Oilers will be losing a good player next off-season.