Opportunity to Trade Darnell Nurse to the Ducks Just Opened Up

For weeks, the Darnell Nurse trade talk has been front and center. However, over the past few days, as trades came across the NHL newswire, Nurse’s name hasn’t been popping up. With just hours until the NHL Draft, is there a trade still happening? Are the Edmonton Oilers going to be successful in moving their overpriced, but very serviceable defenseman?

To this point, it’s been clear that the Oilers want to move his contract. Not that long ago, it was learned that Nurse wants out. His $9.25 million cap hit over the next four years might be scaring teams off, and his full no-movement clause means he gets to decide where he lands — a list of three to five teams that has kept most of the league on the sidelines.

But something interesting is happening in Anaheim.

In the span of a few hours, the Ducks traded Olen Zellweger to Buffalo for a second-round pick and a prospect. That move alone didn’t cause alarm. But, coupled with the additional losses the Ducks might suffer as free agency opens, it seemed like an odd decision to trade Zellwegger and leave only Jackson Lacombe and Pavel Mintyukov as the team’s left-shot options.

Do the Ducks have another defenseman they’re looking to bring in on that left side?

On July 1, Anaheim is set to lose John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, and captain Radko Gudas — all three UFA defensemen expected to test the open market, with Carlson already having signaled he wants to return east. That’s potentially four defenders out the door in 24 hours, leaving a blue line of promising but unproven youngsters: Drew Helleson, Tristan Luneau, and Stian Solberg.

Could Darnell Nurse Be a Fit In Anaheim?

Given what we know, Nurse to the Ducks doesn’t make much sense. They aren’t believed to be on his list of teams to which he’d accept a trade. He wants to go out East. But, there was also talk that he might be open to the Los Angeles Kings. What about just down the road?

The fit isn’t perfect, and that’s worth acknowledging. Nurse’s preferred destinations — Philadelphia, where family ties to uncle Donovan McNabb run deep, and Pittsburgh, where his relationship with GM Kyle Dubas dates back to their days together in Sault Ste. Marie — are both Eastern Conference teams.

But if the Flyers or Penguins drop out and there’s no way for Nurse to forgive the Oilers and return, would he consider other options? Nurse’s camp may find itself staring at a list that needs expanding. Anaheim has cap space, a genuine need.

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