Burnaby's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is officially an Edmonton Oiler and can now start bankrolling his $1 million salary, which includes nearly $2.8 million more in performance bonuses.
The 18-year-old phenom currently leads the Oilers in scoring, a fact that prompted the Edmonton brass to keep the talented centre past his nine-game trial period rather than send him back to the Western Hockey League Red Deer Rebels for another year of major junior hockey.
Nugent-Hopkins is currently on a line with Edmonton's other two young first-round picks, Taylor Hall (first overall in 2010) and Jordan Eberle (22nd overall in 2008).
On Sunday, Nugent-Hopkins picked up another two assists, including a game-winning helper on Eberle's third goal of the season to move Edmonton into first place in the Northwest division following a 4-2 win over St. Louis.
Together the kid line has produced 30 total points as of Monday, including a team-leading 11 points for Nugent-Hopkins. The North Burnaby product and veteran Ryan Smyth currently lead all Oilers with five goals in their first 11 games.
"Taylor and Jordan have been amazing mentors for me," Nugent-Hopkins said in an article on NHL. com. "I'm thrilled that I get to keep playing with those guys."
TURRIS ASKS FOR TRADE
It looks like Kyle Turris' hockey career in Phoenix has gone to the Dogs.
A number of news sources are reporting the 22-year-old third overall draft pick in 2007 has requested a trade.
ESPN.com reported Kurt Overhardt, the agent for the unsigned centre, confirmed the New Westminster product has asked to be traded.
"This has never been about money," said Overhardt in the article. "We've respectfully requested that the player had the opportunity to move forward in his career by having a fresh start."
But the article went on to say that Phoenix general manager Don Maloney has no such intentions of trading away his firstround asset.
"The CBA (collective bargaining agreement) gives us certain rights to Turris and we are exercising our rights," Maloney said in the article. "There will be a point in the future Turris will have the right to decide who he wants to play for and how much he will accept."
Maloney went on to say that Turris has not yet reached that stage in his career and if the two parties cannot come to an agreement by the Dec. 1 deadline, the talented restricted Group 2 free agent may have to sit out the remainder of the season.
"If he wants to play in the NHL this season, he will re-sign with us," Maloney added. "We will not trade his rights under any circumstances and are prepared to live with the consequences if he decides to sit out this, and future seasons."
Overhardt indicated that several unnamed teams have expressed an interest in Turris, and is confident an agreement with Phoenix can be reached.
On Monday, 1130 News named Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto and the Vancouver Canucks as teams interested in Turris.
Last season, Turris scored 11 goals and registered 25 points in 65 games with Phoenix. To date, he has 46 points in 131 career NHL games.
