Darnell Nurse Requests Trade from the Edmonton Oilers

If you’re breaking up with me, I’m breaking up with you first. That appears to be the situation in Edmonton regarding the unfolding situation with defenseman Darnell Nurse, who has officially requested a trade from the Edmonton Oilers. 

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Elliotte Friedman reported on Thursday, ” Last week, Sportsnet’s Mark Spector reported the Oilers would like to trade Nurse, and, according to multiple sources, the defenceman recently went to the organization and said he would like to be traded. He now feels it is time for him to move on.” Darren Dreger adds, “Nurse and his rep presented the Oilers with a list a week ago. There have been many conversations. Darnell is ready for a change.”

The report notes that Nurse has given Edmonton a list of 3-5 teams that he’s willing to join, and the Oilers will immediately look to accommodate his request, if for no other reason than they’ve wanted to move on for some time. 

Nurse hasn’t been happy in Edmonton. You can read it on his face; his body language has been obvious, and his reactions to the media after games last season were less than positive. He’s been the scapegoat on many nights when the team hasn’t been successful, much of the vitriol stemming from the fact that his $9.25 million-per-season contract has added understandable pressure to perform. He’s a good defenseman, but he’s arguably not lived up to that deal. 

Over the past number of months, the Oilers have realized it’s time to move on. They asked last season if he was willing to waive his no-trade. He wasn’t. This summer will have been the second time that conversation has taken place and Nurse knows he’s not wanted — that is, except by the leadership group of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and others who all wanted to win a Stanley Cup together. 

Whether the Oilers can get full value for Nurse now that it’s crystal clear both sides are ready to move on remains to be seen.

Next: Eastern Conference Playoff Team Internally Discussing Darnell Nurse Trade