Penguins considered a potential destination for Oilers’ Darnell Nurse
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Penguins Land Oilers’ Nurse in Suggested Offseason Blockbuster - The Hockey Writers
Darnell Nurse Requests Trade from Oilers
Darnell Nurse, a 31-year-old defenceman, has formally requested a trade from the Edmonton Oilers. This development follows weeks of speculation regarding his future with the team. Nurse has provided the Oilers with a list of teams to which he would be willing to waive his trade protection, indicating a desire to move on.
Nurse is currently in the fifth season of an eight-year contract that carries a cap hit of $9.25 million. Last season, he recorded seven goals and 17 assists for a total of 24 points across 82 games. Over his career, he has accumulated 88 goals and 236 assists, totalling 324 points in 798 games. Additionally, he has played 100 career playoff games, contributing seven goals and 22 assists for 29 points.
The high cap hit associated with Nurse’s contract presents a challenge for any potential trade. However, reports suggest that the Oilers would be open to retaining a portion of his salary for the remainder of his contract to facilitate a move.
Penguins Emerge as Potential Destination
Among the teams Nurse would consider waiving his trade protection for are the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings. This makes the Penguins a strong possibility as a landing spot for the defenceman.
The Penguins are reportedly in a position to take on a veteran defender with playoff experience. While they may not wish to assume Nurse’s entire contract or pay a substantial amount to acquire him, they possess significant cap space this offseason. Adding an experienced player like Nurse could help them reach the cap floor and provide a veteran presence as they continue to contend.
In a hypothetical trade scenario, the Penguins could acquire Nurse, with the Oilers retaining $1.25 million of his salary, which would reduce his cap hit to $8 million. In return, the Oilers could receive Parker Wotherspoon. Wotherspoon could potentially step into a role on the blue line, having previously played alongside Evan Bouchard at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
Impact on Oilers and Other Team Developments
The potential departure of Nurse is one of several significant developments for the Oilers this offseason. The team recently relieved Kris Knoblauch of his duties as head coach, and numerous names have been mentioned as potential replacements. Among these, Mike Babcock has been a prominent figure.
The NHL has initiated an investigation into Babcock following allegations that led to his resignation from the head coach position of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023. The Oilers appear willing to await the outcome of this investigation before making a decision on their next head coach, though the organization reportedly aims to hire Babcock.
The status of pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) Connor Murphy is also a factor. Murphy, acquired at the 2026 Trade Deadline, is considering his options. Both the coaching search and the outcome of Nurse’s trade request are influencing Murphy’s decision. A Nurse trade could potentially open up a larger role for Murphy, which might be enticing. However, the choice of a new head coach could also impact his decision regarding an extension with the Oilers.
As the 2026-27 season approaches, the situation surrounding Nurse’s trade and the Oilers’ coaching decision remain key points of interest.
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Source: thehockeywriters.com
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