Oilers' Nugent-Hopkins (rib) out 5-6 weeks

The Edmonton Oilers will be without center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for five to six weeks because of cracked ribs he suffered during last Saturday's overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Coach Todd McLellan announced the injury Friday, as the Oilers enjoyed their bye week following the Vegas win. Nugent-Hopkins was placed on injured reserve.

"The initial indications were he'd be OK, then he came home and he saw some doctors and had some tests, and he's going to be out five to six weeks," McLellan said.

The 24-year-old was initially thought to have suffered a bruised sternum on a big hit from Golden Knights defender Brayden McNabb in the second period of last Saturday's game. Nugent-Hopkins left the contest after the collision and did not return.

Nugent-Hopkins, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft, leads Edmonton with 16 goals and also has 15 assists. His 31 points rank third on the team behind Connor McDavid (52) and Leon Draisaitl (36).

"You can make an argument who our key go-to guy has been this year, obviously Connor is having a pretty good year individually, and some others, but I would throw Nuge right up there," McLellan said. "He's been trustworthy in every situation, given us valuable minutes, improved his game.

"He means a lot to our team."

In Nugent-Hopkins' absence, Draisaitl is expected to slide up the depth chart to the second line in his place. Ryan Strome will move to the third-line center role.

The Oilers, sixth in the Pacific Division at 20-23-3, have recalled forward Iiro Pakarinen from the AHL Bakersfield Condors in a corresponding move. The 26-year-old has an assist in 18 games with Edmonton earlier this season; he's scored 13 points (nine goals, four assists) in the same amount of games with Bakersfield.

--Field Level Media