The Edmonton Oilers snapped their three-game skid with a much-needed 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Even so, they still sit third from the bottom in the Pacific Division with a 10-9-5 record.

This is the same team that made it to the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years, only to fall to the Florida Panthers both times. But this season, they’re still searching for their rhythm. As a result, trade rumors involving their $74 million defenseman have started to heat up as the team looks for ways to retool the roster.

Are the Oilers Ready to Part Ways With Their $74 Million D-Man?

Darnell Nurse is in the fourth year of his eight-year, $74 million contract. He has found himself at the center of trade speculation as the Oilers try to address their goaltending issues and potentially move his large cap hit to free up room for roster adjustments.

Speaking on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, NHL insider David Pagnotta weighed in on Nurse’s situation.

Pagnotta explained, “But look, first of all, with respect to Nurse, he’s got full trade protection and the captain really likes him. They’re buddies. So yeah, like this is this is this is more than just a hockey there.”

He emphasized that this situation goes beyond hockey and involves multiple factors. Pagnotta pointed out that Nurse is an easy target because of his $9.25 million cap hit. The team’s lack of cap space ($159,167), adding that any impactful move would require finding out where that money can be reallocated.

Pagnotta also said he has not heard anything concrete regarding a potential move. He mentioned that discussions could still occur later, especially if management decides that someone needs to be reassigned to implement the desired changes. In that scenario, Nurse could be the player placed in that difficult position.

However, he noted, “But no indication from my side anyway that he would consider it right now and that they’ve had any serious conversations about it.”

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He added that goaltending concerns continue to resurface, but suggested that the real answers may not come until the offseason. Pagnotta expects the Oilers to be very aggressive this summer when they finally gain more roster and cap flexibility. Any move made now, unless it is a significant swing, would likely amount to minor adjustments for the remainder of the season.

For now, they will focus on their upcoming home game against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.