The NHL trade winds have been swirling around Darnell Nurse for weeks, yet as we inch closer to the NHL Draft, his name has surprisingly faded from the rumor mill. The big question hanging in the air: will the Edmonton Oilers manage to move their high-priced, yet undeniably skilled defenseman?
It's no secret that the Oilers are keen to offload Nurse's hefty contract. Recently, it emerged that Nurse himself is looking for a change of scenery. His $9.25 million cap hit over the next four years is likely causing some teams to hesitate, and with a full no-movement clause, Nurse has the power to dictate his landing spot - narrowing his options to a shortlist of three to five teams, leaving much of the league out of the running.
Meanwhile, a curious scenario is unfolding in Anaheim. The Ducks made a notable move, sending Olen Zellweger to Buffalo in exchange for a second-round pick and a prospect.
While that deal alone didn't raise eyebrows, it becomes intriguing when considering the potential departures looming as free agency approaches. Trading away Zellweger leaves the Ducks with only Jackson Lacombe and Pavel Mintyukov as their left-shot defensemen.
Could the Ducks be eyeing another defenseman to bolster their left side?
Come July 1, Anaheim is poised to lose John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, and captain Radko Gudas - all set to explore free agency, with Carlson already hinting at a return to the East Coast. This exodus could leave the Ducks' blue line in the hands of promising but inexperienced players like Drew Helleson, Tristan Luneau, and Stian Solberg.
So, does Darnell Nurse fit into Anaheim's plans?
On the surface, a move to the Ducks seems unlikely for Nurse. Anaheim isn't thought to be on his preferred list of destinations.
His sights are set on the East, with a particular interest in the Los Angeles Kings as a potential option nearby. Yet, the allure of family ties in Philadelphia, where his uncle Donovan McNabb has deep roots, and a connection with Pittsburgh's GM Kyle Dubas from their time in Sault Ste.
Marie, keeps the East as his primary focus.
However, should the Flyers or Penguins withdraw from the race, and if there's no path for reconciliation with the Oilers, Nurse might need to broaden his horizons. Anaheim offers cap space and a genuine need for a player of his caliber. It's a situation worth watching as the draft clock ticks down.
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For Anaheim, the bigger picture is less about who is available than what kind of move still makes sense after a summer of turnover and evaluation. Carlsons UFA rights already changed hands during the draft, Trouba has re-emerged as a relevant piece after his latest bounce-back, and Andersson sits near the top of the class as a player teams will monitor closely if he does not stay put. The Ducks do not need just another body on defense, they need the right answer, and the next few weeks could decide how aggressive they can afford to be. [Read more 🡒]
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Wahlberg arrived as a 2023 second-rounder who has not yet played in the NHL, and Anaheim already used that pick on Jayden Kurtz, a University of Wisconsin commit. Zellwegers situation adds another layer to the discussion, since he is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1, leaving the Ducks with one more high-stakes decision to sort through as the offseason unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
One Year Later John Gibson Trade Still Haunts Ducks Rebuild Debate
A year after Anaheim dealt John Gibson, the trade still sits in that uneasy middle ground where neither side can declare victory and neither can quite move on. The Ducks got Petr Mrazek plus future draft capital in return, while Gibson landed in Detroit and immediately gave the Red Wings a steady presence in net during his first season there.
For Anaheim, the debate is less about what happened than what comes next. Mrazek was a short stop for the Ducks before being moved again, and the picks only matter if they turn into real help down the line. Until the second-round selection plays out and Gibsons Detroit future settles into a clearer shape, this one remains more of a wait-and-see evaluation than a clean rebuild win. [Read more 🡒]