According to reports, the Edmonton Oilers have extended defenceman Darnell Nurse as he signed an eight-year deal worth $74 million. His new contract carries a salary-cap hit of $9.25 million.
Hearing also we are getting closer on the much-anticipated Darnell Nurse extension in EDM. Expected to come in around 8x$9.25M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 6, 2021
Darnell Nurse Signs Extension
Nurse solidified his role as the 1D of the Oilers last season. He finished the 2020-21 season with his highest-scoring pace to date, scoring 16 goals and 36 points in 56 games. The 26-year-old will enter his eighth NHL season as one of the highest-paid players on the roster behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Nurse was originally drafted in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft at 7th overall. This signing follows a slew of deals that have seen Duncan Keith, Warren Foegele, and Zach Hyman join the fold.
What This Means for the Team
If the Oilers see Nurse as their 1D, they’ll need all the help they can get from the defenceman. Their current defensive corps features Duncan Keith, Tyson Barrie, Kris Russell, and Cody Ceci. Many of these players are either well past their prime or are less-than-stellar defenders. Nurse is the best defenceman on the roster. He’ll likely be relied upon to handle some of the toughest assignments. It’s unclear who will serve as his partner for the season, but all signs are pointing towards either Russell or Barrie. The team was swept by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the playoffs last season. This offseason’s focus was on building a better roster that can handle a deep playoff run. It remains to be seen whether or not Nurse can lead the Oilers’ defensive corps to a Cup final. Time will tell the tale on this deal.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
