Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) looks up at the scoreboard during a break in the action against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) looks up at the scoreboard during a break in the action against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly ready to trade defenseman Darnell Nurse. However, a $9.25 million cap hit on his current contract until the 2029-30 season could make it difficult for the Oilers.
The full no-movement clause in the Nurse’s contract is set to turn into a 10-team list at the end of the upcoming season. The 31-year-old can’t be traded this summer unless he agrees with the Oilers and GM, Stan Bowman, to waive his protection.
“The Oilers are looking to trade Darnell Nurse as soon as possible, per @SportsnetSpec. GM Stan Bowman will meet with Nurse in the coming days, but that $9.25M cap hit will be challenging to move,” Sportsnet's Mark Spector revealed in a report.
During the 2025-26 regular season, Nurse scored just 24 points (7G / 17A) in 82 games. His time on the ice was also reduced to 20:58 minutes per game. It was his lowest since the 2016-17 season.
The postseason culminated for the Oilers after they lost to the Anaheim Ducks in six games in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Darnell Nurse wasn’t able to register any points in his six appearances.
Since joining Edmonton as the 7th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, Nurse has played 798 regular-season games and scored 324 points (88G / 236A) for the Oilers.
Darnell Nurse and Stan Bowman declined to comment on the latest development
While the Oilers reportedly prefer to move on from Darnell Nurse in the offseason, they're willing to keep him for another season if he is interested in staying.
Nurse declined to comment to Sportsnet, while Bowman told them the same before he arranged a meeting with the defenseman.
The report alluded to Stan Bowman looking to move Nurse since the Stanley Cup Final defeat to the Florida Panthers in six games in 2025.
Nurse contributed a goal and two assists for three points with 21:44 minutes per game in that series, but it was far from enough for the Oilers.
Just a year prior, the front office discussed the option to scratch the Canadian during the Stanley Cup Final against the Panthers. They ultimately decided to reduce his time in the playoff series.
He played in all seven games in the 2024 Finals, scoring three points (2G / 1A) with just 15:51 minutes per game.
So the question is: Will Darnell Nurse decide to leave the Edmonton Oilers or play out his time with the Oilers?
Written by
Arjun Sharma
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi