NHL Rumors: DeBrusk to Senators, Makar Extension, and Nurse Trade Request Details – The Hockey Writers –

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, Darnell Nurse has requested a trade out of Edmonton. When did this happen, who is on his list, and what’s next? Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators are interested in Jake DeBrusk and could push for a trade. Finally, Joe Sakic spoke about plans for the Colorado Avalanche, including an extension for defenseman Cale Makar.

Details of Darnell Nurse’s Trade Request

According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, the Edmonton Oilers and defenseman Darnell Nurse are moving toward a potential trade. Friedman explained that discussions around Nurse’s future date back to a highly emotional period after the Oilers lost in the Stanley Cup Final. At that time, Nurse was not open to waiving his no-movement clause.

This offseason, however, things have evolved.

The Oilers held exit meetings and agreed to revisit the situation later. “This time, he was preemptive,” Friedman said, noting that Nurse essentially told the team he would be open to a trade before they even had to ask.

Since then, the Oilers have quietly been working the market. Friedman indicated there are roughly three to five teams involved. “I think it’s mostly East,” he said, adding that a Canadian destination is unlikely. If a Western Conference team is involved, Friedman mentioned Los Angeles as a possibility due to Nurse’s familiarity with Ken Holland, though he stressed that is speculative.

Interest around the league appears to be legitimate. Friedman noted that some teams not initially included on his list began reaching out to Edmonton after hearing about the situation, asking whether they could get involved.

One of the key factors in any potential deal will be salary retention. Nurse carries a $9.25 million cap hit, and while a 50 percent retention is not expected, there is a belief that reducing the number closer to the $7–7.25 million range could make a trade more feasible. “I do think Edmonton’s going to be able to make a hockey deal here,” Friedman said.

Friedman pointed to reports out of Philadelphia suggesting the Flyers could be among those exploring the possibility, which he said would make sense.

Latest on Mike Babcock Hire

The NHL has initiated an investigation, and while the Oilers have not backed away from their interest, the situation is in stasis. Any narrative that the players are pushing for the NHLPA to approve this hire, Marty Walsh of the NHLPA said it’s not up to players to hire a coach; it’s the GM and ownership that hire coaches.

One of the challenges is that the NHLPA is trying to balance protecting a group of players, many of whom feel quite differently about Babcock’s return.

There is talk that whatever the NHL is investigating is much worse than the cell phone incident, and that could be why some players are asking the NHLPA to look at this much more closely than they did in 2023.

Senators Interested in Jake DeBrusk

According to sources who spoke with the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa Senators have expressed trade interest in Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk. DeBruks has hit the 20-goal mark in four of the last five seasons, and he’s quite effective on the power play.

Bruce Garrioch writes:

“Two league sources told the Ottawa Citizen in the last 24 hours that they believe the Senators are among a group of teams that have shown interest in Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk, who has scored 20 goals or more in four of the last five seasons. The 29-year-old DeBrusk, who has spent the last two seasons with the Canucks, has five years left on a deal that pays him $5.5 million per season, but he’d be a good fit for the Senators, who are looking for a forward to help bolster the club’s top six group.”

source – ‘Why Jake DeBrusk might be another trade target for Ottawa Senators’ – Bruce Garrioch – Ottawa Citizen – 06-10-2026

The Canucks have had many names pop up in the trade rumor mill. DeBrusk is the latest and he’s already noted that he’s not exactly excited to go through a rebuild.

Avalanche Believe Makar Will Sign an Extension

Joe Sakic met with the media this week and said he expects Cale Makar to be ready for the start of next season and that he will have a new contract in place when he is. What that deal will look like remains a big storyline in the NHL. Makar could get the biggest contract in hockey.

Sakic also doubled down on the team, saying he’s keeping the core and coach Jared Bednar. While they were disappointed in the playoff loss to Vegas, they aren’t making big changes.