The Edmonton Oilers enter the offseason hunting for affordable scoring help after their frustrating playoff flameout exposed cracks across the roster. Salary cap pressure, blueline instability, and growing uncertainty around Darnell Nurse have dragged Edmonton into the middle of fresh trade chatter.
Then the internet started buzzing about San Jose Sharks winger Collin Graf, a rising young forward suddenly tied to the Oilers in blockbuster speculation. But that fantasy took a sharp turn when a former NHL defenseman jumped in with a cold splash of reality.
Jason Demers Shoots Down Oilers’ Dream of Landing Sharks Forward Collin Graf
Former NHL defenseman and current analyst Jason Demers made it clear he believes Edmonton fans are wildly overestimating their chances of prying Graf away from San Jose.
The debate started after Daily Faceoff Live discussed a hypothetical trade involving Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and Sharks breakout forward Collin Graf. The idea has since spread across hockey media circles, with several insiders discussing San Jose as a possible destination for Nurse because of the Sharks’ cap flexibility and need for veteran blueline help.
Demers, however, strongly disagreed with the idea that San Jose would move one of its emerging young forwards for a struggling veteran contract.
Taking to X, Demers wrote, “Edmonton Oilers fans thinking you’re going to get Collin Graf don’t watch hockey. Unless it’s McDavid, that’s the Sharks’ 2nd-best forward this season.”
His reaction centered around how highly San Jose values the 23-year-old winger internally. Graf delivered a breakout campaign with 21 goals and 46 points in 81 games while also developing into one of the Sharks’ most trusted penalty killers.
Beyond the offense, Graf posted a +6 rating on a defensively weak roster and consistently handled difficult defensive assignments.
NHL analyst Nick Alberga later joined the conversation with a playful response directed at Demers’ comments. Quoting the post on X, Alberga joked, “You’re right: He’s coming to Toronto for Morgan Rielly.”
Despite the humor surrounding the debate, the financial reality behind Edmonton’s situation remains serious. Nurse carries a $9.25 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season and owns a full no-movement clause for the 2026-27 campaign. Any potential trade would likely require Oilers GM Stan Bowman to attach assets or retain salary just to move the contract.
Reports surrounding the Oilers’ cap situation suggest Edmonton could need to include a pick, a premium prospect such as Matthew Savoie or Beau Akey, and potentially retain salary to convince another organization to absorb Nurse’s deal.
From San Jose’s perspective, moving Graf simply makes little hockey sense right now. The Sharks are rebuilding around Macklin Celebrini and view Graf as an important long-term fit because of his affordable contract, defensive value, and offensive growth. They also have the 2nd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, which means they could potentially add one of Ivar Stenberg or Caleb Malhotra to their ranks.
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While Edmonton continues exploring ways to upgrade its roster around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Demers’ comments reinforce the reality that rebuilding franchises do not move promising young core players without a massive return attached.
