One of the worst-kept secrets in hockey right now is the Edmonton Oilers’ intention to try and trade defender Darnell Nurse. It has been rumoured and rumbled in recent weeks that general manager Stan Bowman would be meeting with Nurse to discuss his future. The result of those conversations has led to an official trade request, as reported by Elliotte Friedman and Mark Spector on Thursday morning.
Nurse, the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, has played his entire career in Edmonton since his debut in 2014–15. He has played in 798 games, recording 324 points. His recorded a career high 43 points in 2022–23.
What led to this trade request?
Nurse has been a crucial part of the Oilers’ core for nearly a decade. After Oscar Klefbom’s career ending injury, Nurse was placed in the top pairing defender role and expected to lead the defensive corps moving into the competitive era. The growth and development did not happen. Nurse was given a behemoth contract in a summer of generous contracts being given to defenders and has failed to live up to expectations since.
On a yearly basis, Nurse’s pairings has been the weak link defensively in the playoffs. The organization has struggled to find a reliable partner for his pairing. And he has not played like a $9.25M player would be expected to.
As the environment around him grows more negative by the game, the time has finally come for a fresh start.
The Edmonton Oilers are entering a crucial offseason that will require some big changes to free up the cap space necessary to revamp the team. Removing Nurse’s contract will be a great help.
What might a Darnell Nurse trade look like?
Ideally, we will see a trade package similar to what was agreed on between the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks in the Seth Jones trade. Similar defenders, both with frequent criticisms of their games, and both signed to nearly identical contracts. The main difference being Nurse has fewer years remaining now.
What could that lead to in return? If the Oilers and Detroit Red Wings are talking, this trade could be formatted in the same fashion as the Jones trade. Edmonton could pry Sebastian Cossa away from Detroit along with a high draft pick in exchange for Nurse at 20% retained salary and a lower pick.
There are reportedly other teams interested that could make for some different trade packages, however. The key is that Nurse is sold as an upgrade with the tools he does have as a solid two-way defender that is good in transition and carrying the puck so this doesn’t turn into an expensive cap dump trade.
