Poor Nurse Numbers Could Mean End of Defense Partner’s Run with Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers’ defensive struggles are starting to draw sharper scrutiny, and one analyst believes Darnell Nurse’s poor metrics could directly impact Troy Stecher’s future with the team. Jonathan Willis of The Athletic released early-season 5-on-5 goal-share data for Oilers defensemen after seven games, highlighting glaring discrepancies between expected and actual results.

Expected goal shares put Nurse at 29%, with lower-depth defenders like Ty Emberson and Brett Kulak performing better. But the real-world numbers tell a more concerning story: Nurse has an actual goal share of 0%.

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Willis points out that Evan Bouchard sits at 33%, and defenders like Kulak and Emberson are overperforming their expected metrics at 70% and 67%, respectively.

Granted, Nurse is not the only player underperforming compared to expectations. That said, his 0% share is alarming. Willis notes, “Nurse is the obvious problem…”

Willis noted that Nurse, who had a brief pairing with Alec Regula before the latter was injured, has been “a wreck since.” Willis suggested that Jake Walman‘s return could eventually help stabilize Edmonton’s 5-on-5 play. Still, Nurse’s poor shot metrics are so troubling that Willis believes they “probably end Stecher’s time in Edmonton.”

Is Stecher On the Hot Seat with Oilers Because of Nurse?

Perhaps Strecher was on the outside looking in, regardless. Nurses’ numbers certainly don’t help Stecher’s cause.

The question becomes, what happens if Nurse’s numbers don’t improve with Walman as his defense partner? Should be moved to a third-pairing role with limited ice time? That seems unlikely given his importance to the team and status as part of the inner circle of core guys. There does, however, become a point where the player needs to be held accountable. If his continued underperformance is not influenced by his playing partner, Nurse may see diminished opportunities.

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