Darnell Nurse spent the first 12 seasons of his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers — but he'll face them for the first time Saturday afternoon.

The now-San Jose Sharks defenseman, who was traded to California on July 1, is looking forward to the challenge of taking on his old club.

“One of the best things I ever learned from playing in a market like that is to be mentally tough, to just focus on what you can control and let the rest take care of itself,” Nurse told reporters Friday, including NHL.com's Max Miller.

“Just (looking at) the logo, right? You wear the logo for so long, you just look at it. It's going to be weird.”

Nurse was a key piece of Edmonton's blue line for over a decade and helped the franchise advance to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025. Now, he's looking to help an upstart San Jose team return to the postseason for the first time since 2018-19.

“It's exciting,” Nurse added. “Obviously, they've got a good team over there. Started well. Some of the best players in the league. That's a good challenge for us as a team. And as a player, you look forward to matchups like that.”

Nurse has already made an impact with his new team, scoring the overtime game-winner in Thursday night's 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

San Jose is 3-1-0 despite superstar cornerstone Macklin Celebrini missing its last two contests. He's expected to be a game-time decision against Edmonton.

Nurse has also averaged just under 21 minutes of ice time per game, taking on a significant role with his new club.

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“He's been awesome. Again, great human being first and foremost,” head coach Ryan Warsofsky said of Nurse, per Miller. “Team guy. He is in great shape. Plays, you know, with some snarl and some attitude, but understands what it takes to win at this level. He's been a great addition to our group, on the ice, off the ice, as a leader.”

The former seventh overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft would love to help the Sharks keep their strong start rolling with a victory over his former team at SAP Center.

Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET Saturday.