The Edmonton Oilers are riding momentum after extending their winning streak to five games with a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
The surge has pushed them back into the race near the top of the division, but despite the positive run, questions about the future of one of their highest-paid defensemen continue to surface.
Future Uncertain for Oilers $74 Million Defenseman
The player at the center of the speculation is Darnell Nurse. He is currently in the fourth year of his eight-year, $74 million contract. And holds a full no-movement clause through the end of the 2026–27 season. Starting July 1, 2027, that protection shifts to a modified no-trade clause, requiring him to submit a 10-team trade list.
His name came up in discussions ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. But no move materialized. Even so, the chatter hasn’t completely faded, and it could grow louder once the offseason arrives.
NHL insider David Pagnotta suggested the Oilers may evaluate several options in the summer. “I do think they’re going to consider a variety of options. I think they’re going to go after somebody that can fit into their top six legitimately this summer,” Pagnotta said.
“And then it’s the whole Darnell Nurse watch. What’s going to happen there on that front? Does that factor into bringing in somebody in the top six? Is it a separate situation? I think that’ll be part of the conversation that they’ll have in the summer.”
Notably, Darnell Nurse has picked up his play over the past couple of weeks. After struggling to find consistency alongside Jake Walman for much of the season, a switch to skating with Connor Murphy has helped streamline his role. With a more defensive-minded partner, Nurse has focused on playing a physical, hard-to-handle style instead of trying to carry too much of the workload.
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Earlier in the year, Nurse held a team-worst minus-18 rating, but that has improved to minus-14. He has also recorded a plus-4 rating over his last three games while averaging more than 22 minutes of ice time per night.
Despite the improved performance, any potential move would be complicated by Nurse’s contract protections. With a full no-movement clause in place, the Oilers would need his approval to complete a deal. That reality could limit their flexibility even if they explore trade possibilities.
For now, Edmonton’s priority remains the playoff push. “Obviously, the focus now is well playoffs and let’s try to get home ice at the very least if not the division. So, that’s where the focus is and should be,” Pagnotta said.
With momentum building, the Oilers will look to keep rolling when they face the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Still, once the offseason arrives, the conversation surrounding Nurse’s future is unlikely to fade.
