The Edmonton Oilers have had a busy offseason already, reshaping their coaching staff with the additions of Mike Babcock as head coach and D.J. Smith as associate coach. Now, the organization’s attention has shifted to another major storyline: Darnell Nurse’s reported desire to be traded out of Edmonton.
With the veteran defenseman carrying a $74 million contract and a $9.25 million cap hit through 2030, finding a potential landing spot has become one of the NHL’s biggest offseason talking points. When asked about Nurse, newly hired associate coach D.J. Smith offered a candid assessment of the Oilers blueliner.
D.J. Smith Gets Real on Darnell Nurse Trade Rumors
D.J. Smith, known for his aggressive, old-school coaching style from his time with the Los Angeles Kings, focused less on the trade speculation and more on the value Nurse still brings on the ice.
“I think with his length and athleticism, he can be an elite penalty killer in this league. I coached him at the Worlds and we had a 93% kill and net 100%, and he was the first guy out the door. I like to be aggressive and he hasn’t really played that system (In EDM). He’s been more of a sit at the net and make reads kind of player,” Smith said.
Smith’s comments suggest he believes Nurse may not have been utilized in a role that best suited his strengths. Rather than playing a passive defensive style, Smith sees a player capable of thriving in a more aggressive system.
He also made it clear that the final decision regarding Nurse’s future isn’t his to make. “It’s not my business if he returns or not. That is his family and Stan’s, but I would certainly welcome him back,” DJ Smith said of Nurse.
Those remarks indicate that while trade discussions may continue, Nurse would still have supporters inside the organization if he remains in Edmonton.
Why a Trade Became a Possibility
According to reports from NHL insiders, the relationship between Nurse and the organization may have changed last season when he became aware that management was exploring ways to move his contract.
Rather than waiting to see what happened, Nurse is believed to have become more open to pursuing a change of scenery himself.
The pressure tied to his $74 million contract also played a role. After years of scrutiny and Edmonton’s disappointing first-round exit in 2026, a fresh start away from the spotlight may be the best move for both Nurse and the Oilers.
Trading Darnell Nurse won’t be easy because of his $9.25 million cap hit, but the contract may be more manageable than it appears. After this summer’s bonus payment, he’ll be owed just $23.6 million in actual salary over the remaining years of the deal, which could appeal to budget-conscious or rebuilding teams.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks have been linked to Nurse, while the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs have also been mentioned as possible destinations.
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If GM Stan Bowman can find a trade partner, Edmonton would gain valuable cap flexibility to continue building around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. If not, D.J. Smith has made it clear he’d gladly welcome Nurse back into the lineup.
