Oilers Tried to Trade Nurse to Maple Leafs Says Insider, Is That Off the Table?

According to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, the Edmonton Oilers tried to trade defenseman Darnell Nurse to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the most recent trade deadline. The return, at least in part, was Nicolas Roy.

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Pagnotta was a guest on Oilers Nation and spoke in a very loose code about a possible deal that was being worked on between the two sides. He suggested it didn’t get very far because the team Edmonton was speaking with wasn’t all that interested. Now, with a new general manager, he doesn’t believe things will change.

It wasn’t explicitly stated who the return was for, but the hint was that the player is no longer in Toronto and is now a member of the Colorado Avalanche. Pagnotta later clarified:

“Edmonton spoke to Toronto ahead of the deadline to try to make that happen, obviously it didn’t, and it was really that close at the time, from what I was told. His name was circulating. They spoke to the Leafs, that didn’t happen. We’ll see where that kind of goes.”

Nurse’s Name Keeps Coming Up in Trade Speculation

This isn’t the first time in the last week that Nurse’s name has come up in trade speculation. With the Oilers out of the playoffs and the team looking at a summer of difficult decisions, his contract ($9.25 million) is an obvious target to move on from if the idea is to clear up cap space. It was also noted that the Oilers tried to convince Nurse last summer to consider a trade, but he declined. With a no-move clause, he had the right to do so.

Don’t be surprised if the Oilers attempt to revisit those conversations.

That trade will be easier said than done, even if, by some small chance, Nurse agrees. “They’re not moving Nurse to free up $9.25 million. That’s not happening… If you’re moving him out, even if you’re retaining a little bit, you’re doing so with the hope of freeing up a few million to give yourself more flexibility.”

Next: Nurse And Bouchard Named To Team Canada At Worlds