As we enter the off-season for the majority of the NHL, the news cycle tends to move with them. For the Edmonton Oilers, it has been in off-season mode since their first round exit a few weeks ago at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks.
This is largely because of the importance of this summer for the Oilers and general manager Stan Bowman. The first matter of business has already taken place as the club has fired head coach Kris Knoblauch and will be ushering in a new voice behind the bench in short order.
After that of course comes the draft and free agency, some of the most active times for trades and free agent signings of course. This is where our topic comes into play. It has long been rumoured that the Oilers are likely to explore trading long time Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse this summer with reports that the club was exploring trade talks even at this past trade deadline.
Now, thanks to NHL insider David Pagnotta on a recent episode of the DFO Rundown Podcast, we have pieces of that rumoured trade proposal.
Oilers and Maple Leafs discussed trade involving Darnell Nurse
According to Pagnotta, Oilers GM Bowman and now former Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving were involved in trade discussions surrounding Nurse at the trade deadline. There was a rumoured package that Bowman proposed to Treliving that was ultimately declined.
The rumoured proposal per David Pagnotta from the Oilers side was something like; Darnell Nurse for Morgan Rielly and Nicolas Roy. It is unclear about any other moving parts involved but that was the basis of the proposal. This deal would have fulfilled the Oilers' need for a third line centre while also allowing both teams to get out from under their albatross blueline contracts.
It is unclear if the Leafs were unwilling to do the deal as much as Rielly -- who has a no-movement clause in his contract -- would not waive to go to Edmonton. Depending on the answer, with Treliving being fired by the Leafs and the club now under new management in John Chayka and franchise legend Mats Sundin running their hockey operations, it could be revisited.
The 32 year old Rielly could be an interesting acquisition for the Oilers this summer, he has four years remaining on his contract paying him $7.5 million per season. He would give the team $1.75 million in space compared to the 31 year old Nurse who also has four years remaining at $9.25 million per season.
On top of the cap savings, Rielly has historically produced at a better rate than Nurse, while both have logged similar minutes throughout their career. It could be a deal that the Oilers benefit greatly from, receiving a player that could mesh with their high end offensive pieces like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Pagnotta also mentioned San Jose as a potential future landing spot
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