Early last week, it seemed like we were on the cusp of a Darnell Nurse trade. The closer we got to the NHL Draft, the quieter the chatter got. 

With some cheaper names like Rasmus Ristolainen and Morgan Rielly out there, intriguing RFAs Alexander Nikishin or Braden Schneider, and the star-chasing potential of Zach Werenski all linked to trade rumours, the Edmonton Oilers blueliner seems to be on the back burner.

Anaheim is now interested, according to Dave Pagnotta and Elliotte Friedman, but by and large, he seems to be the circle-back option.  

But does the Oilers’ urgency for a trade to clear the cap space for free agents or trades match the market? My guess is no. 

For the Oilers to get what they want from the trade, presumably no retention and a player in return, they might have to test Nurse’s patience until he relaxes his trade list. That clock could presumably tick into July. You won’t get the notification on your phone because you’ve got no service at the lake. If you’re lucky, it’s not raining. 

It’s a tricky trade.

Getting the best deal might only arrive when other teams have swung on blueliners and missed. He doesn’t – so far – seem like a top option. And with a three-team trade list, what would be the hurry for Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Boston? 

But the Oilers need to know their cap situation by next week, or make other deals at their own risk, which could leave them with less flexibility in the Nurse trade.  

There have been reports that Nurse is also motivated to get a trade done sooner rather than later. I’m just not convinced that he’s willing to expand his trade list yet. If it’s true he has the leverage this year with the no-move, then why surrender it so soon? 

These are just my hunches. 

The real dollars in the Nurse contract are less than the cap hit, which could help owners and general managers who aren’t on his list justify the deal. It’s $29.6 million, mainly in bonuses, paid out in three intervals per year. That’s more easily stomached than the $37 million against the cap for the four years. 

For Bowman not to retain, that implies waiting for the best deal, and he needs a winner here. But can he if that drags longer than a few days? How does Nurse feel about Orange County? 

It’s easier said than done, but Bowman has to be patient.

No, Nurse shouldn’t come back

One other aside on Nurse. Seeds have been planted in the past week for a total about-face and the possibility that sees Nurse on the roster for game one of the season.

Some D.J. Smith comments, some Oilers Now conjecture. All is forgotten, Darnell! Come........

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