Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has requested a trade, and the San Jose Sharks are the proper fit. Nurse has spent all 12 years of his NHL profession in Edmonton, but each side agree that it’s time for a change. Elsewhere within the Pacific Division, the Sharks have put together an elite group of young forwards. But they need an anchor on defense, and Nurse will be that player.
The Oilers signed Nurse to an eight-year, $74 million deal before the 2022-23 season. Meaning the Sharks would owe him $9.25 million per season for the following three years. While that could be a high salary for a defenseman, especially considered one of Nurse’s caliber, San Jose can fit it in. In response to PuckPedia, the Sharks go into the offseason with over $40 million in cap space.
The Sharks have won the NHL Draft Lottery again, earning the proper to choose second in June’s draft. Of the eight first-round picks San Jose has made since 2021, six of them have been forwards. Sam Dickinson represents the one high-end defensive prospect of their pipeline. They might draft one other defenseman second overall, but they still need a veteran to stabilize the unit.
The argument for the Sharks trading for Nurse is evident. And the Oilers are committed to dealing him this summer after his public trade request. The 2 GMs have even connected on a recent trade, one which sent Jake Walman to Edmonton for a first-round pick. The whole lot is shaping up for Nurse to move to San Jose. But what return package makes probably the most sense?
The Oilers cannot expect to get quite a bit for Nurse, considering his albatross contract. But they’re coping with a team flush with picks and prospects. Will that make a difference?
The Sharks must hold firm in Darnell Nurse trade negotiations
The Sharks go into the NHL Draft with eight picks within the seven rounds, including two first-round picks. However the Oilers cannot expect to get the second or the twentieth overall pick. That second selection began in Edmonton’s organization and is the payment from the Walman trade.
If the Sharks are willing to trade away their second-round pick, that’s where the Oilers should start. San Jose has the Colorado Avalanche’s second-rounder, so it should be toward the back of the round. But Edmonton could use all the top-64 selections they will get their hands on. This could be a high price for San Jose to pay, but one Edmonton could get in the event that they retained a few of Nurse’s salary.
The Oilers needs to be trading Nurse away to clear salary cap space. They don’t have much of it to start with, and Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid are already attending to the tip of their deals. At 31 years old, Nurse shouldn’t be the offensive engine they need from the blue line. They may use the cash to enhance the depth scoring and provides the goaltending the desperate boost it needs.
That results in a lower return from the Sharks. If the Oilers got their hands on considered one of their two fourth-round selections within the upcoming draft, they need to consider themselves lucky. Nurse has an upside for San Jose on the powerplay, which he doesn’t do for the Oilers. They needs to be willing to make the bet, however the wager needs to be smart.
The Sharks needs to be buyers within the trade market all offseason long. They’ve a special talent in Macklin Celebrini and a path to the playoffs within the weaker Pacific Division. In the event that they can get their hands on Nurse, it could be a sensible addition to an improving roster.
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has requested a trade, and the San Jose Sharks are the proper fit. Nurse has spent all 12 years of his NHL profession in Edmonton, but each side agree that it’s time for a change. Elsewhere within the Pacific Division, the Sharks have put together an elite group of young forwards.