Amid Trade Rumors, Edmonton Oilers Open to Moving Top Defenseman This Summer Despite His Reported Reluctance to Leave Team
As the Edmonton Oilers prepare for another all-in run at the Stanley Cup in 2025-26, the front office faces critical decisions about how to retool the roster around its generational core. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl inching closer to unrestricted free agency, every move now carries more urgency and scrutiny. But one of the most surprising and potentially polarizing developments of the offseason has been the reported willingness of the Oilers to move one of their top defensemen—despite the fact that the player himself reportedly has no desire to leave Edmonton.
According to multiple league insiders, the Oilers are “open for business” when it comes to defenseman Darnell Nurse, their longtime blue-line stalwart and one of the highest-paid players on the team. While no deal is imminent and trade talks have not yet reached an advanced stage, the fact that Nurse’s name is even being circulated reflects a subtle but significant shift in the organization’s thinking. Edmonton’s management appears increasingly willing to entertain the idea of change on the back end, even if it means parting ways with a core piece of the franchise.
However, the situation is complicated by the fact that Nurse, who signed an eight-year, $74 million contract in 2021, possesses a full no-movement clause and has given no indication that he would be willing to waive it. Sources close to the team say Nurse is committed to Edmonton, believes in the direction of the club, and remains a valued leader in the locker room. In his own public comments, Nurse has expressed nothing but loyalty to the team and city, reiterating his belief that a Stanley Cup is within reach.
Still, hockey is a business, and Edmonton’s front office, led by GM Jeff Jackson, appears to be exploring all avenues to increase roster flexibility. Nurse’s $9.25 million annual cap hit is the highest among all Oilers defensemen and the second-highest on the team behind McDavid. Though Nurse logs heavy minutes and plays in all situations, the value equation has become more difficult to justify as the team tries to add forward depth and address goaltending concerns without sufficient cap room.
The internal debate over Nurse’s future reportedly centers around two key dynamics: his cost relative to performance, and his fit within a defensive structure that struggled at times during the 2024-25 season, particularly in high-leverage playoff moments. While Nurse’s physicality, leadership, and mobility are assets, critics have pointed to defensive lapses, inconsistent puck decisions, and his sometimes-erratic play under pressure as concerns — especially for a player earning close to elite money.
Additionally, with Evan Bouchard continuing to emerge as a legitimate No. 1 defenseman and Philip Broberg showing flashes of readiness, the Oilers’ blue line could soon take on a different shape. There is a growing internal belief that Edmonton may be able to redistribute Nurse’s cap hit to improve the team more holistically, especially if it means adding two middle-six forwards or a high-end goalie in exchange.
However, moving Nurse is no simple task. His no-movement clause gives him full control of his fate, and sources indicate he is not inclined to approve any trade — at least not yet. He has deep roots in Edmonton, both professionally and personally, and has been part of the franchise since being drafted seventh overall in 2013. Over the years, he has become one of the most respected voices in the dressing room, often tasked with leading by example during turbulent stretches. He also carries significant influence among teammates and is seen as part of the team’s leadership core alongside McDavid and Draisaitl.
This makes the optics of a potential trade even more delicate. The Oilers can’t afford to alienate a key player or create unnecessary friction within the locker room, especially during a critical championship window. If a move is to be made, it would likely have to be handled with extreme tact — and would require Nurse’s full cooperation.
So far, there’s no indication that any formal trade request has been made, nor that the Oilers have asked Nurse to consider waiving his clause. Instead, the situation appears to be more exploratory — a sign that the organization is open to all possibilities as it looks to reshape the roster for another deep playoff run. Should Nurse change his mind or if the team receives a compelling offer, the dynamic could shift rapidly.
Several teams around the league would likely be interested in Nurse under different financial circumstances. His size, skating ability, and playoff experience make him a natural fit for clubs seeking a top-four defenseman with bite. However, the cap hit — combined with the full NMC — makes a deal extremely difficult to execute without significant salary retention or a swap involving another large contract.
A potential destination could include teams like the Ottawa Senators or Buffalo Sabres, both of whom are looking to add veteran leadership and bolster their defense corps. But whether Nurse would be willing to approve a move to a non-contending team remains doubtful. Conversely, contending teams like the Dallas Stars or Tampa Bay Lightning would likely need to shed major salary just to fit Nurse under the cap — if he were to consider those markets at all.
In the meantime, the Oilers are expected to continue reshaping the rest of the roster while keeping an eye on how the Nurse situation evolves. Edmonton has already been linked to multiple trade and free-agent targets, including goaltenders and middle-six forwards, and may explore other defensemen as well. But all roads eventually lead back to the cap situation, and Nurse’s contract looms large over every decision.
Some within Oilers circles argue that moving on from Nurse would send a powerful message about the team’s commitment to winning — a clear sign that the front office is willing to make hard decisions in pursuit of a championship. Others caution that subtracting a core player without a guaranteed upgrade could create more problems than it solves.
Ultimately, the decision may come down to timing and willingness. If Nurse continues to stand firm in his commitment to Edmonton, the Oilers’ hands may be tied unless the player himself has a change of heart. However, if the team’s direction shifts during the season, or if an opportunity arises to significantly improve in net or up front, the conversation could be revisited.
For now, the relationship between Nurse and the organization remains stable. There is no public tension, no trade demand, and no formal offers on the table. But the very fact that the Oilers are willing to consider moving a player who was once seen as part of the team’s untouchable core speaks volumes about how focused and aggressive the franchise is becoming in its pursuit of a Stanley Cup.
The story of Darnell Nurse this offseason is still being written. He remains an Oiler for now — and may continue to be for years to come. But the possibility that his name is even in the trade rumor mill suggests that no one, not even a cornerstone defenseman, is completely safe when a championship is on the line.
As the offseason continues and the Oilers make more moves to shape their roster, all eyes will remain on how the team manages its most complex and expensive contract. Whether Nurse stays or goes, the decisions made around him will speak volumes about where the Oilers see themselves — and what they’re willing to risk — in their ongoing chase for hockey’s ultimate prize.
