Edmonton Oilers
No Nurse Trade Will Impact Oilers and Free Agency, With One Possible Exception
The Edmonton Oilers continue to work on a Darnell Nurse trade, while also eyeing one particular name in NHL free agency.
According to Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now, “Given the uncertainty of the Darnell Nurse situation it is quite possible that today may be a very quiet day for the Edmonton Oilers on the Free Agent front. EDM will need another goalie…at some point, still need to sign RFAs C. Dach/S. Stastney and have limited cap space.”
In other words, if the Oilers don’t trade Nurse, they don’t move most or all of his $9.25 million. If they don’t move his $9.25 million, they don’t have the money to spend to go out and sign free agents. With no signings, it is expected that the Oilers won’t make much noise on day one of free agency.
There might be one exception.
For some reason, he’s being heavily linked to the Oilers as free agency opens up. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson says it’s a “likelihood” that Mikheyev explores free agency market and the forward, who previously played under head coach Mike Babcock in Toronto, might be a fit in Edmonton.
The Oilers are rumored to be interested in him, and they could offer a three- or four-year deal in the neighborhood of $3.5-$4 million per season. Like some of their other free agency swings in the past, it’s a bit of a risk, but Edmonton wants speed and a penalty killer who can also score.
He had 18 goals in 77 games for the Blackhawks last season. He had 20 the season prior. He was second on the Blackhawks for time on ice shorthanded, leading all forwards in the category with 2:38 per game.
Where Do Things Sit with a Nurse Trade?
As of right now, it doesn’t sound like anything is terribly close to happening as the Oilers shop Nurse to the three teams on his short list. Elliotte Friedman writes, “Pittsburgh wanted Edmonton to take back a contract. The Oilers didn’t like whatever was presented to them. Philadelphia’s had a challenge putting all of the different pieces together in and out. Boston’s shown interest, but that’s also about what has to go out to make it work”
The thought is that maybe Nurse will expand his list. The San Jose Sharks are very interested, but Nurse wants to go out east.
Next: Retaining That Much Money in a Nurse Trade to the Bruins a Mistake for the Oilers
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