Darnell Nurse trade is the best case scenario for Oilers

After 11 seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, Darnell Nurse has been traded to the San Jose Sharks the team announced Wednesday. It is the end of an era for the Oilers as Nurse leaves the club with 798 games played, having scored 88 goals and 236 assists for 324 points. He has also played 100 career postseason games and has scored seven goals, 22 assists for 29 points in the playoffs.

The former seventh overall pick in 2013 was traded to the Sharks for defenceman Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect defenceman Zack Sharp. The Oilers did not retain any salary in the transaction, something that many felt was going to be necessary to put it over the edge but had been reported to not be an issue.

The Sharks had long been speculated to be a fit for Nurse and the deal makes sense for both sides as the Sharks are a team coming out on the other side of a rebuild and hope to insulate their young players with veterans and have plenty of cap space to spend. Also, given the rise in the NHL salary cap ceiling, Nurse's contract has aged quite well given what he brings.

Nurse deal gives Oilers a new look

In many ways, the Nurse trade represents a shift in Edmonton. Not only is the team getting rid of a former top ten pick and core player but by opening up roughly $8 million in cap space, it gives the Oilers flexibility.

The acquisition of a young 24 year old Mukhamadullin makes the Oilers blueline a little younger and his profile allows him to fit into their bottom pair nicely. He brings some defensive abilities that were lacking and with his mobility and puck moving, he can help shore up the blueline. Sharp, a 21 year old blueliner gives the Oilers yet another NCAA prospect and adds another body into their prospect pool.

Using the money that the trade opened up, the Oilers were able to be much more active in free agency. The Oilers went on to add goaltender Frederik Andersen, defenceman Ryan Shea, and forward Mathieu Joseph. All of these moves have helped the Oilers to round out their depth at each position and give them quality NHL proven depth.

Even still, these moves combined only used up $6 million of the freed up cap space from the Nurse trade. The club also re-signed Kasperi Kapanen to a one-year contract worth $2.6 million. Giving them plenty more flexibility

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