Darnell Nurse’s time with the Edmonton Oilers is apparently coming to an end.
Sportsnet reported that not only were the Oilers looking to trade the 31-year-old defenseman, but Nurse also went to the team to seek out a trade. Although he has a full no-movement clause, seeking out a move means he’s got control over where he can be traded.
Nurse gave the Oilers a list of 3-5 teams he’d like to be traded to, and while a limited number of suitors hurts Edmonton’s ability to move him, his salary-cap hit is also a sizable problem. He carries a 9.25 million cap hit for the next four seasons, which means the Oilers would almost certainly have to retain some salary to facilitate a deal.
Despite everything working against a trade, Nurse is a solid defender who’s most stung by his cap number. If he produced at a lower number the way he does, the chatter about him online, and perhaps in Edmonton, might not be so loud. He’s capable, and on another team in a quieter situation, he might bring the best out of him.
But where does Nurse go? That’s what we’re out to explore for you today using reports, rumors, and our own gut instinct.