NHL-Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers (Credit: Getty Images) One of the biggest offseason stories in the NHL was the San Jose Sharks’ acquisition of Darnell Nurse. He’s played with heavy expectations and constant scrutiny for years playing in Edmonton, Sharks general manager Mike Grier said after the trade.Grier said there’s massive pressure on players in the big Canadian hockey markets, especially when team success doesn’t live up to public expectations. He believes Nurse’s trade to San Jose could give him the fresh start he needs to build confidence and solidify his leadership role.
Darnell Nurse begins new chapter with San Jose Sharks with new NHL trade
Darnell Nurse’s move to the San Jose Sharks gives the veteran defenseman a chance to start fresh away from the pressure that followed him during his time with the Edmonton Oilers.During his media availability, Mike Grier talked about the challenges players face when media and fan criticism builds up over multiple seasons. The Sharks executive compared Nurse’s situation to Mitch Marner’s recent departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs, saying sometimes a change of scenery can be good for both the player and the team.The comparison fits a general NHL pattern of old stars seeking a change of scenery after years of life in the fishbowl of big-time hockey towns. Nurse and Marner were both incredibly important to their former teams, but their departures signaled the end of eras that brought with them a lot of expectations.But for the Sharks, Nurse’s addition is more than just an experienced defenseman. He’s viewed by the organization as a player who can provide leadership, stability and top-pair experience to a roster still in the midst of a rebuild.
Why Edmonton Oilers pressure followed Darnell Nurse
The trade is part of a busy offseason for San Jose, which continues to reshape its roster with veteran talent and proven NHL contributors. Management believes those additions can accelerate the team’s progress and help younger players develop in a more competitive environment.Nurse was a seventh-overall selection in the 2013 NHL Draft and played more than a decade with the Edmonton Oilers. He was a frequent target of criticism, his contract and the team’s championship expectations, as he emerged as one of the franchise’s most important defensemen.
What Mike Grier expects from Darnell Nurse now
Mike Grier’s comments indicate the Sharks are more interested in what Nurse can still become than the pressure that has come with his final years in Edmonton. San Jose is betting a new market, new expectations and a new start could unlock the version of Darnell Nurse that made him one of the most consistent defensemen in the NHL.