When it comes to the most polarising players on the Edmonton Oilers roster, you can make a case for Darnell Nurse ranking quite high up the list. However, unlike Evander Kane or perhaps Corey Perry for example, we don't mean in the controversial/troublesome sense.
Rather, it comes down to how Nurse is perceived in respect of his actual play on the ice for the Oilers. While few would doubt his talent and toughness, there are many who believe he does not play up to his potential nearly enough.
In fairness, a lot of the criticism is connected to how much the 29-year-old is being paid. This criticism was at an all-time high during this past season's playoffs, when he regularly made errors -- a lot of them unnecessary and unforced -- during the Oilers' magical run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Part of an unwanted Top-10
In fact, as we wrote last month, The Athletic released a list of the top-10 worst NHL contracts (subscription required). Compiled by Dom Luszczyszyn, Nurse's deal was ranked the ninth worst.
Based on The Athletic's model, Nurse's Average Annual Value (AAV) should be $5.9 million rather than the $9.25 million he actually makes every season. This disparity becomes even more shocking, when you consider the calculation doesn't include playoff data.
This got us to thinking about how the 2013 seventh overall draft pick's salary compares to other blue liners around the league? Here is a list of the top-10 defencemen earners in the NHL, based on AAV:
Rank | Player | Team | AAV (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Erik Karlsson | Penguins | $11.5 million |
Tied-2 | Drew Doughty | Kings | $11 million |
Tied-2 | Rasmus Dahlin | Sabres | $11 million |
4 | Zachary Werenski | Blue Jackets | $9.583 million |
Tied-5 | Seth Jones | Blackhawks | $9.5 million |
Tied-5 | Charles Mcavoy | Bruins | $9.5 million |
Tied-5 | Adam Fox | Rangers | $9.5 million |
8 | Darnell Nurse | Oilers | $9.25 million |
9 | Roman Josi | Predators | $9.059 million |
Tied-10 | Dougie Hamilton | Devils | $9 million |
Tied-10 | Cale Makar | Avalanche | $9 million |
As you can see, Nurse does indeed do very well for himself from a financial perspective. However, there is something off, when you consider the Oilers' next best-paid blue liner is Mattias Ekholm at $6.25 million per season, with him undoubtedly a better player than his teammate.
All about timing and luck
In defence of Nurse, the reason he got so well paid in the first place, was down to good timing and fortune. At the time of his contract negotiations he was playing first-line minutes for the Oilers, albeit almost be default; also, other young, talented defencemen were signing big deals which were used as a template for what was eventually a eight-year, $74 million contract for the Hamilton, Ontario native.
In respect of Nurse's total contract of $74 million, this ranks seventh-highest overall among NHL defencemen right now. Regardless, as much as he gets critiqued in large part because of the size of his deal, you can't blame him for accepting it!
Overall, no matter how much people want to complain about Nurse's deal, it doesn't change the reality the Oilers and their fans are likely stuck with it for another six seasons. At the same time, while he may never make it a worthwhile contract per se, he does have the ability to play better than he showed this past season, something which everyone concerned hopes is the case moving forward.
N.B. All facts and figures courtesy of Spotrac