Top Left Header
Header
Sports
Arrow
Columnists
Arrow
NHL Columnists
Arrow
Follow OurHometown.ca on... Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Follow us on RSS Follow Us with E-Mail Updates!
Oil Notes: RNH will return with full cage, Sutton debates calling it quits
By Rob Soria
OurHometown.ca

Oil Notes: RNH will return with full cage, Sutton debates calling it quits
After leaving Friday night's game after being struck in the mouth with a high stick, Edmonton Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, will be back in the Oklahoma City Barons lineup on Sunday night but not without the protection of a full cage.
PHOTO CREDIT - EdmontonOilers.com

Edmonton - October 27, 2012 - Friday was not a great day for the Edmonton Oilers organization. Not only did the Oklahoma City Barons drop their third game of the young AHL season but they also lost the services of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, after he was clipped by a high stick during first period action. Which came on the heels of Jordan Eberle leaving practice earlier in the day and being a game-time decision because of sore ribs.

After picking up an assist on Magnus Paajarvi's first period goal, Nugent-Hopkins night came to a rather abrupt end, as he took a high-stick to the mouth, off a face-off. While both RNH and head coach Todd Nelson declared the former Red Deer Rebels standout ready to go for the Barons game on Sunday night against the Texas Stars...he will be making his return wearing a full cage, which he will keep for the foreseeable future.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the Edmonton Journal's Joanne Ireland added a little more bad news on the injury front on, late Friday evening. Ireland reported that defenceman Andy Sutton is facing another surgery after having already gone under the knife less than four weeks ago, for a knee injury he suffered during the off-season. Apparently, they discovered Sutton actually fractured the medial condyle of the femur and is likely facing another lengthy rehabilitation. That is something no athlete wants to ever here but it makes it that worse, when you are thirty-seven years old and looking at playing one final season before calling it a career.

Add to that, the fact Sutton is like every other NHL player, staring at the possibility of lengthy lockout, and you realize why he is hinting that he might have played his last game in the NHL. While the potential loss of the thirteen year vet would have minimal effect on the ice, as he is slated to be nothing more than a depth defender. It will be off it, where Sutton's presence would be missed.

With Ryan Whitney being the only other true veteran on the Oilers blueline, much of the leadership responsibilities would fall to the Kingston, Ontario native. Having him around to help players like Theo Peckham further develop his game, would be invaluable. If this indeed is the end of the road for the undrafted Sutton, it has been a ride he would have to be extremely proud of.

Follow Me on TwitterRob Soria is the Edmonton Oilers' correspondent for OurHometown.ca. Rob was born and raised in Edmonton and is the author of the Edmonton Oilers blog - OilDrop.ca. He has been a dedicated follower of the game and its history for years but his focus remains on his hometown Edmonton Oilers. If you have questions or wish to contact Rob, you can email him at rsoria@ourhometown.ca


Follow OurHometown.ca on... Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Follow us on RSS Follow Us with E-Mail Updates!
Send Us Your Thoughts


Title - Story Count
8,402 Stories & Growing Daily...

To date OurHometown.ca has posted a total of 8,402 stories! News, sports, hockey, lifestyle, opinion and more!

Be sure to check out our Contributors and Columnists archives!


Title - More OH Headlines
Click on Photo or Story Title for more info
Detroit Grand Prix Canceled for 2020
Team Canada will not send athletes to Games in summer 2020 due to COVID-19 risks
NBA to suspend season following Wednesday
Lyn St. James to Race in Historic Trans-Am Series at the 2020 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
2019 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Fast Facts
OurHometown.ca News Database Last Updated:
Jan. 28, 2024 @ 1:06 PM EST





Footer
Free Sitemap Generator