When a star player leaves a high-pressure Canadian team, people usually talk about money, performance, or the roster. But San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier thinks the expected move by Darnell Nurse could be about something else. And that is getting away from the pressure of being watched and judged every game.

The veteran defenseman has been strongly linked with a move from the Edmonton Oilers to the Sharks. Grier believes the fresh start could help Darnell Nurse, just like it helped Mitch Marner after he left Toronto.

In comments shared by NHL reporter Sheng Peng on X, based on the interview reported by SJ Hockey Now, Grier said star players in Canadian markets often deal with huge pressure every day.

“You saw a little bit of that with Mitch Marner getting out of Toronto. Just to be able to breathe, play hockey, and not have — sometimes you kind of feel like the weight of the world’s on your shoulders to perform, and if you lose, it’s your fault, if you win, no one really says anything”, Grier said. 

As noted by SJ Hockey Now, Grier said constant pressure can affect even the best players, especially those who are expected to lead a team. 

“That’s just the life of a player in a big, big Canadian market, and if you’re a marquee player there, that always adds extra pressure to it. We think him coming here and getting out of that environment will only help his game.”

The comparison comes as San Jose tries to build a new identity with experienced players. The team believes a fresh start can help Nurse raise his game instead of just adding another defenseman to the roster.

Grier doubles down on Sharks’ veteran makeover

In the same SJ Hockey Now report, Grier showed confidence in Nurse as part of a bigger offseason plan. On the first day of free agency, the Sharks spent more than $100 million on contracts for Jacob Trouba, Mason Marchment, and Darnell Nurse. The moves showed that San Jose wants experienced NHL players around its young core.

At the same time, another report from The Market Zone, citing NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, said Nurse was expected to be traded to San Jose for Shakir Mukhamadullin. The report also said Edmonton would not keep any of Nurse’s $9.25 million salary-cap hit.

That makes the trade important for both teams. Edmonton would free up a lot of cap space, while San Jose would take on the full contract for a defenseman with more than 10 years of top-four NHL experience.

Nurse finished last season with 24 points in 82 games and still played big minutes throughout the year. The Sharks hope less pressure, strong veteran support, and a fresh start will help him play better as the team continues its rebuild.

Grier believes this is about more than numbers. The Sharks think a new team, a new role, and a new environment can help Nurse get back to his best.

What do you think? Will a fresh start in San Jose prove to be the turning point that Nurse needs? Let us know in the comments. 

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi