Sean Maloughney: RNH - Best 2nd Line Centre In The Pacific

Those are some mediocre numbers for most of those second line centres. I have always liked Nuge as a player but with the exception of his rookie season and last season he’s been a disappointment as a first overall pick.
And last year getting 19 of his points playing wing with McDavid sort of skews his numbers as a centre.
That being said I would have him on my team in a heartbeat.

And the Oilers still cant make the playoffs, and wont this year either.

Those are some mediocre numbers for most of those second line centres. I have always liked Nuge as a player but with the exception of his rookie season and last season he’s been a disappointment as a first overall pick.
And last year getting 19 of his points playing wing with McDavid sort of skews his numbers as a centre.
That being said I would have him on my team in a heartbeat.
- shack67

Injuries also have played a part of it too....in 8 years he has had only 4 seasons with 70+ games played but as someone who has watched him play for years it would be a blow if we were to lose him....has a solid game away from the puck too I’m sure he will quickly become a favourite of our new coach

And the Oilers still cant make the playoffs, and wont this year either.
- Flybynight88

Thanks captain obvious....keep us updated on if water is really wet too

I have to say I found your data incomplete.

It led me to believe Horvat was the better player.

Injuries also have played a part of it too....in 8 years he has had only 4 seasons with 70+ games played but as someone who has watched him play for years it would be a blow if we were to lose him....has a solid game away from the puck too I’m sure he will quickly become a favourite of our new coach
- RatedR80

Yeah I remember watching him play with a really bad shoulder before his surgery. In his rookie season I thought he was going to be a future 100 point player.
When he signed the big contract I remember how happy he was because he could help his parents financially. Apparently he had to sit out a year of bantam because they couldn’t afford to pay for it.

You may have listed Rico as a 2nd line C but his spot is 3C, Steel will be Ducks 2nd line C this year.

No offensive stats can be used when playing for the Carlyle .. except of course goalie who is worth every penny and more in the Carlyle rope a dope leave my goalie out to dry every game strategy.

That said RNH is a really good player... Hmmm only if the Oil had a Wing that could complement him

Yeah I remember watching him play with a really bad shoulder before his surgery. In his rookie season I thought he was going to be a future 100 point player.
When he signed the big contract I remember how happy he was because he could help his parents financially. Apparently he had to sit out a year of bantam because they couldn’t afford to pay for it.
- shack67

Another reason why I like Nuge.....seems to be a good kid and not someone who becomes a headache or a drama queen like a lot of these other guys.....all these years of losing and incompetence and he just keeps going....I’m surprised he hasn’t snapped yet

Another reason why I like Nuge.....seems to be a good kid and not someone who becomes a headache or a drama queen like a lot of these other guys.....all these years of losing and incompetence and he just keeps going....I’m surprised he hasn’t snapped yet
- RatedR80

All he does is play. Can’t beat that

https://twitter.com/RobDa.../1165756431057833984?s=20

talbot is still good for something

Hertl is becoming a pretty solid player. Argument could be made for Horvat as well.

RNH is only better than 2 of the guys mentioned there, Henrique and Kempe with Kempe being up for debate due to age and playing for the Kings, and Stepan being about equal.

Horvat didn't get that great of linemates either and wasn't on the 1st unit pp with a like McDavid, or in the case of the Nux, Pettersson… so there's that....

I have to say I found your data incomplete.

It led me to believe Horvat was the better player.

I like RNH, think he's had too much put on his shoulders... but ya, he didn't come first out of any of the categories (except for PPP which hurts his claim) and still ends up as the best center? Also, a 45% faceoff percentage isn't too great.

Nuuuuuuuuge!

Also, first. Suck it Jero! Rim it, Iggy! Toss it, Reveen!

I like RNH, think he's had too much put on his shoulders... but ya, he didn't come first out of any of the categories (except for PPP which hurts his claim) and still ends up as the best center? Also, a 45% faceoff percentage isn't too great.
- NewYorkNuck

I'm sure he could make a better argument but it seemed lazy. He was better than anyone than Bo, he was tied with Bo for best.

Doesn't mention Horvat offensively even though he scored only 1 goal and 8 less points with worse linemates and worse deplyoment.

Your argument is littered with holes and reeks of homerism. RNH most common line mate was... Connor McDavid. Yet Bo Horvat had the same 5v5 points as Nuge, not playing with anyone close to the talent of McDavid on a regular basis. So... yeah, how’s RNG better than Bo Horvat? I wouldn’t trade Horvat for Nuge personally, and you fail to address truly how Ryan is better. To be honest, it’s a pretty terrible article, sorry to say...

FO% Horvat was at 53.7%....

Horvat is a far superior center. With Pearson and Miller as linemates he’ll make Doogie Howser look like stink.

Alright Nucks fans I get it....I’m a Horvat fan so I can understand.....so now get Carol to write a blog on Horvat > Nuge and don’t forget to thank her afterwards

Most of my family are big oilers fans, so I probably watch them more than any other team besides the Leafs, including a couple times live the past few seasons. I see one issue with this whole article:

Isn't Draisaitl the second line centre more often? What about all the time RNH spends on the wing too? Every other player on the list is their teams 2c most nights. Nuge isn't even a centre most nights.

Best way for Holland to find him some competent wingers is to trade him to a team that already has some. The Islanders always have the Oilers phone on speed dial.

I'd take Horvat over him.

Best way for Holland to find him some competent wingers is to trade him to a team that already has some. The Islanders always have the Oilers phone on speed dial.
- buster29

No wingers there that fit the age bracket or contract that we'd want in return for Nuge. Winnipeg is the team that makes the most sense with a guy like Ehlers coming back.