Is Now the Time for Darnell Nurse to Reconsider Previous Trade Stance?

During a heated conversation between Bob Stauffer and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman on Oilers Now, Friedman wondered aloud whether the constant noise and criticism around Darnell Nurse has finally “gotten to him.” Nurse is struggling this season, and he’s taking even more heat than usual. Friedman seems to be suggesting a player can only take so much.

If accurate, a conversation that once felt unthinkable might be inevitable: could Nurse actually waive his no-trade clause? And if he does, what kind of ripple effect would that have on the team’s blue line?

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For most of his run in Edmonton, fans and the organization have viewed Nurse as part of the Oilers’ foundational core. He’s one of the players Connor McDavid has openly said he wants to win a Stanley Cup with. He’s been there through the ups and downs, logging some of the heaviest minutes on the team. Nurse is often the victim of trying to do too much, but might and after night, he willingly takes on the difficult matchups.

Nurse’s Contract Isn’t Doing Him Any Favors With the Fan Base

Unfortunately, with the size of his contract and the mounting expectations attached to it, every mistake has become magnified. Every slump is a larger talking point. When a player becomes the target of overwhelming scrutiny—fair or not—it eventually wears on them.

Friedman said, “I have to tell you, Bob, I have wondered if all of the noise has finally gotten to him.”

If Nurse were to waive his NTC, it wouldn’t just represent a player asking for a fresh start—it would signal a major philosophical shift for the Oilers. Edmonton knows their contention window hinges on optimizing every dollar on the cap, and right now, Nurse’s deal is one of the biggest obstacles to adding meaningful pieces elsewhere. A trade gives both sides something they need: relief for the Oilers and breathing room for the player.

How Moving Nurse Would Reshape the Oilers’ Blue Line

A Nurse trade—difficult as it may be—immediately changes the complexion of Edmonton’s defence. Moving his $9.25 million cap hit opens the door to acquiring a high-end puck mover to complement Evan Bouchard or a true shutdown presence to stabilize the second pair. Instead of constantly adjusting pairings to suit Nurse’s strengths and weaknesses, the Oilers could build a blue line tailored to their system and their superstar core.

Losing Nurse also impacts the penalty kill and the leadership group. He plays heavy short-handed minutes and has been a strong voice in the room. But sometimes removing the constant pressure surrounding one player has a net benefit for team morale. The Oilers could see more balanced pairings, clearer roles, and a defence corps less overshadowed by contract-driven narratives.

A trade won’t be simple—salary retention or a hockey-for-hockey swap is likely—but for the first time, the idea feels realistic. If the noise is getting to Nurse, he might decide to waive his no-trade clause — a move that could help both him and the team.

And if that day comes, it could be the defining shift that finally aligns Edmonton’s blue line with their championship ambitions.

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