Player Profile: Darnell Nurse

Darnell Nurse is a defenseman from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, who was born on February fourth, 1995. Nurse is a 6’4” and 216 lbs defenseman who uses this frame to bring physical play to the blueline. Nurse began his organized hockey career with the Don Mills Flyers under-16 team during the 2010-11 season at the age of 15. In 38 games played, Nurse scored 11 goals and added 18 assists. Nurse then made the move to the Ontario Hockey League.

Darnell Nurse “Is a Young Man of Tremendous Character,” Says Kyle Dubas

With the third overall pick in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, the Soo Greyhounds selected Darnell Nurse. According to Gerry Liscumb Jr., “Darnell is a young man of tremendous character, and has elite leadership abilities. He is a very raw prospect who I am certain will embrace adversity and give himself every chance to overcome the many obstacles he will face throughout his career in Sault St. Marie. We are thrilled that Darnell has decided to report to Sault Ste. Marie instead of electing one of the many NCAA options he was offered,” began Hounds General Manager Kyle Dubas.

In his first season with the Greyhounds, Nurse had one goal and nine assists in 53 games played during the 2011-12 OHL season. Nurse had 13 goals and 37 assists for 50 points in 64 games for the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League during the 2013-14 season before being drafted. In three seasons with the Greyhounds, Nurse proved to be a strong two-way defenseman who was rarely out of position. Any NHL team could use a defenseman of this caliber.

Darnell Nurse Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers with the Seventh Overall Pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft

Darnell Nurse was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. After making his debut for the Oilers during the 2014-15 season, in which he played in two games, Nurse played 36 games as captain of the Greyhounds. In those 36 games, Nurse had 10 goals and 23 assists. After playing in 14 OHL playoff games for the Greyhounds this season, Nurse then played four playoff games for the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League, where he had four assists.

During his second season with the Oilers, Nurse played in only 44 games, scoring five goals and adding six assists. Unfortunately, Nurse’s season was cut short due to a lower-body injury. This did not stop the Oilers from making it to the Stanley Cup playoffs. In 13 playoff games for the Oilers, Nurse had two assists. Nurse was primarily paired with Matt Benning during this season, for 116:48 of time on ice. Before the 2016-17 season, the Oilers had not made the Stanley Cup playoffs in 10 seasons.

Nurse bounced back after recovering from the lower-body injury, playing in all 82 games during the 2017-18 season. In those 82 games, Nurse had six goals and 20 assists. The Oilers missed the playoffs this season after finishing with 78 points under then-head coach Todd McLellan, which was good for sixth place in the Pacific Division. This was the third season for the Oilers under McLellan. Nurse earned McLellan’s respect as a young defenseman in his three seasons under the Oilers former coach.

Darnell Nurse on the Move?

Nurse has played his entire career with the Oilers. However, the Oilers have recently indicated that they are looking to trade Nurse. One position that the Oilers desperately need to improve is at goalie. The average annual value on Nurse’s contract of $9.25 million makes moving the 31-year-old defenseman more difficult. Nurse has a full no-trade clause in his contract that expires on July 1, 2027. Nurse played in 81 games during the 2025-26 season, scoring 7 goals and adding 17 assists. With those two factors in mind, where will Nurse be when the 2026-27 NHL season begins?

One team that is reportedly on Nurse’s list of teams he is willing to be traded to is the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins have struggled in the defensive zone as general manager Kyle Dubas rebuilds the team’s roster. Two players who are untouchable in any trade are franchise legends, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The Philadelphia Flyers, the Penguins’ in-state rival, are also reportedly on Nurse’s trade list.