Oilers rumors: Darnell Nurse linked to 2 playoff teams after trade request

More news broke this week when Darnell Nurse requested a trade from the Edmonton Oilers. Now, reports say Nurse’s trade request targets two playoff teams, according to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period.

“According to Friedman and Mark Spector, the Nurse camp have given the Oilers a list of three-to-five teams he would waive his no-movement clause for. As per sources, TFP has learned the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings are two teams he would be willing to sign off for, and the connections seem clear as to why,” Pagnotta wrote.

Nurse has history with both Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas and Kings’ general manager Ken Holland. When he was in the OHL, Dubas was his GM. Likewise, Holland signed Nurse to his eight-year contract extension in August 2021.

With the Oilers showing interest in Mike Babcock, this news is the latest drama to hit the Edmonton locker room. Although he has been a solid defenseman for the Oilers, it has not always been perfect. Some coaches have criticized Nurse’s play, citing a lack of hockey sense. Nurse finished with seven goals and 24 total points through 82 games this season.

Nurse is currently under contract with the Oilers until after the end of the 2029-30 season. Therefore, his future is in the team’s hands, while his preference might give him some choice in where to go. But the Oilers need to find a team willing to take the contract. While they have not officially hired Babcock, the writing may be on the wall, and Nurse may be looking for a way out. If he gets his way, Nurse could be playing in Pittsburgh or Los Angeles. If he ends up with the Kings, he would face the Oilers at least three times next season.

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