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Blame Darnell Nurse’s Problems on the Oilers

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Mar 2, 2026 1:34 PM ET

Every time the Edmonton Oilers lose a close one, the same thing happens: people pile on Darnell Nurse. It’s automatic now. A bad pinch, a turnover, a blown read and the whole night becomes “Nurse is sinking the season.” In truth, he’s had some rough games. Nobody’s pretending otherwise.

But the more you watch this team, the more it feels like the real problem isn’t him. It’s the way the Oilers keep using him like he’s something he isn’t.

Nurse Is Not a Top-Pairing, Shut-Down Blueliner

Nurse is not a top-pair, shut-down, play-25-minutes-and-clean-up-every-mess defenceman. Never has been. He is a big, physical, straight-line guy who can cover ice quickly and handle tough minutes when he’s not being asked to be Superman. His best hockey has always come when he’s slotted in behind a true top-pairing defenceman, like Duncan Keith. Then, Nurse can play hard, play fast, and not think he has to fix everything at once.

The Oilers haven’t given him that luxury in several seasons. They paid him like a franchise defenceman because they didn’t have another option. And once that contract hit the books, they started using him like one out of sheer necessity. Now he’s carrying matchups he shouldn’t, playing in situations that don’t suit him, and getting tossed over the boards in moments where he’s already struggling. Of course, the mistakes look big — they’re happening at the worst possible times.

The Oilers Defense Has Been a Revolving Door

What makes it worse is the revolving door beside him. Partners change, systems change, and every coach still leans on him like he’s the guy who’s supposed to hold the entire left side together. That would expose almost anyone. It’s not a surprise that the fan frustration lands on his shoulders. He’s often the guy on the ice when games swing.

But here’s the part nobody really talks about: this is fixable. Nurse doesn’t need to be bought out, traded, or blasted every night on talk radio. He just needs to be put in the right role. Give him steady minutes, a stable partner, and stop using him as the automatic “last-minute, tie game, everything’s on the line” guy. Let him simplify. Let him play to what he’s good at.