Oilers’ Nugent-Hopkins, Kapanen return to practice

The Edmonton Oilers could have some reinforcements on the way.

Forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kasperi Kapanen both returned to practice Monday as the team touched back down in Edmonton after a seven-game road trip.

Nugent-Hopkins, who has not played since the Oilers’ 9-1 loss to Colorado on Nov. 8 due to an undisclosed injury, said he could draw back into the lineup Tuesday against the Dallas Stars.

If not, the longtime Oilers centre said Saturday against the Seattle Kraken could mark his return.

The 32-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., had been off to a strong start prior to being sidelined with 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 16 games.

Kapanen, meanwhile, is on long-term injured reserve after going down in a late-October game against the Detroit Red Wings.

The 29-year-old has two assists in six games this season and has averaged 12:17 of ice time per game prior to his injury.

He joined the Oilers midway through last season after being waived by the St. Louis Blues. He finished the season with six goals and eight assists in 67 games and added three goals and three assists in 12 post-season games.

The Oilers sit sixth in the Pacific Division with a 10-9-4 record for 24 points.