Atlantic Division Team One to Watch for Darnell Nurse This Offseason?

A Darnell Nurse trade has always felt somewhat far-fetched, given his contract and full no-movement clause; however, recent smoke suggests that this offseason could actually be the time a deal comes to fruition.

Finding a suitor for the longtime Oilers defenseman won’t be easy, though his recent stretch of improved play and the rising cap environment certainly help. We’ve already heard about the San Jose Sharks as a landing spot, and now, one Atlantic Division team that has come up and makes a lot of sense to watch for is the Detroit Red Wings.

Oilers analyst Mathew Panchyshyn wrote about it on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday:

“Edmonton could*** win a cup this year AND still acquire Cossa + move Nurse…. There is genuine heat around both Det moving Cossa, Edm acquiring Cossa and Det’s need on LD. Det likes Augustine more than Cossa,”

The 31-year-old Nurse is in year four of the eight-year, $74 million extension he signed to stay in Edmonton back in 2021. He’s tallied 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) and has a -15 rating in 75 games played this season.

Darnell Nurse to Detroit?

After a great start to the season, Detroit has sputtered out of a playoff spot and is in danger of missing the postseason for a 10th straight year. As a result, GM Steve Yzerman—if he’s still in charge by then—will likely be aggressive this summer, and the blue line outside of Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson is an area that could use some work.