The Edmonton Oilers have steadied their season after an uneven start. They now sit second in the Pacific Division and once again look like a team built for a deep playoff run.
But with the NHL trade deadline fast approaching, Edmonton is exploring ways to strengthen its roster. Amid those discussions, an NHL insider has labeled one of the Oilers’ highest-paid defensemen a growing liability.
Oilers’ $74M D-Man Draws Harsh Criticism Before Trade Deadline
Oilers blueliner Darnell Nurse has found himself at the center of attention. Nurse is in the fourth year of his eight-year, $74 million contract and has faced increasing criticism for his defensive play this season.
Through 56 games this season, Nurse has recorded 18 points while posting a -10 rating. He’s also accumulated 81 penalty minutes and 59 turnovers, numbers that have raised eyebrows.
NHL insider Jason Gregor didn’t hold back when discussing Nurse’s play. “I’m just not seeing much growth in Darnell Nurse’s game,” Gregor said. “I’m not sure he’s ever going to. There are things he does well, but he just can’t seem to slow the game down despite veteran games played to make better decisions with the puck.”
“He doesn’t have to make the best decision, he just have to make better decisions,” He added.
He suggested that if the Oilers had another right-shot defenseman, he would consider trading Nurse straight up for Predators blueliner Nick Hague. While acknowledging that some might view the idea as extreme, Gregor made it clear he has reached that point after watching Nurse’s play over the past six weeks.
“Maybe, he’ll flip the switch here, maybe he’ll go away for break… Just seems like mistakes are repeated,” Gregor added.
Any potential move involving Nurse would be complicated. He carries a full no-movement clause, which later converts into a 10-team no-trade list in the final three years of the deal. In short, Nurse would need to approve any trade.
Still, speculation has begun to swirl. One rumored scenario involves a defenseman-for-defenseman swap with Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Morgan Rielly, who has also faced struggles this season. Rielly is in the fourth year of his own eight-year, $60 million contract. He also holds a full no-movement clause.
Former NHL general manager Doug MacLean acknowledged just how difficult these contracts are to move. “At nine and a half million, that’s a tough contract to swallow,” MacLean said on Nurse’s contract. “That’s not an easy deal for any team.”
While nothing appears imminent, a change of scenery could benefit both players if discussions ever gained traction.
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For now, the Oilers must weigh their options carefully as the deadline approaches.
