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When the Edmonton Oilers selected Ryan Nugent-Hopkins first overall in 2011, the last thing they thought they were getting was a solid, second-line, two-way forward.

But that’s what he’s becoming.

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And that’s a big part of why they’re winning.

Nugent-Hopkins might not be what the Oilers expected, but his metamorphosis is exactly what they need.

“It’s changed quite a bit,” the 24-year-old centre said of his role on the team. “Any young kid coming out of junior, your game evolves a little bit. Mine has done so, and I think I’m a lot more comfortable at this point in that job.

“This year was a little bit of a transition role, and I embraced it as well as I could. I’m comfortable in it and I enjoy doing it. It’s fun when you can shut those top guys in the league down and put up offensively at the same time.”

After being conditioned his whole life to evaluate his performance on points, he is learning to take pride in a shutdown role.