Darnell Nurse is not a bad player. He outperformed every contract in his career, taking progressive steps forward as a defender, adding points, and positively influencing the outcome of games. Every contract that is, except for his current one. The $9.25 million per year deal, which is half way through its 8 year term, was a big bet made by former Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland, didn't pay off, and each year it occupies cap space that might be better suited to adding complementary scoring or defensive depth at the trade deadline.
Nurse's contract also has a No Movement clause. He can veto any trade this summer, and throughout next season as well. After 2026/27, that changes to a 10-team no trade clause, giving Oilers management slightly more flexibility, but the term, dollar figure and specifics of Nurse's deal are all self-inflicted problems for Oilers management.
Bridge deals
The mistake made with Nurse, and repeated with Evan Bouchard, was bridge deals. Shorter term deals that saved a few dollars on the salary cap in the present, made by GMs who didn't really have to worry about the long term cap picture because they were unlikely to be in the same job when the higher payment came through. Those individuals were allegedly in "win now" mode, and didn't factor in future cap issues.
Arguably only Ken Holland built a team capable of winning. He was responsible for the second bridge deal (5.6 million for 2 years), and for the albatross of a contract that Nurse has today. In a fun twist of fate, he was also, less directly, responsible for that summer of huge d-man signings. His acquisition of Duncan Keith gave the Chicago Blackhawks the cap room to overpay Seth Jones, and every other signing that follow used that deal as a benchmark.
What's the future for Nurse?
There were attempts to trade Nurse last year, which shows GM Stan Bowman is aware of the imbalance between performance and pay for the second pairing defenseman. But Bowman has already made similar mistakes, and possibly as early as next season, he may be looking to get out from under Jake Walman's $49 million, seven year deal.
There's a real risk that Connor McDavid's championship window ends and the Oilers never manage to work with a salary cap that doesn't limit their ability to add impact players and truly compete. Bowman has already been trading away 2029 draft assets, so maybe he sees that urgency is required. But the truth is more complex. Urgency and accuracy are needed, because the Oilers can't afford any further mistakes. If they can't get out of their own way, then who could blame McDavid if he moves on at the end of his own deal.
Add us as a preferred source on Google