NHL Rumors: Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, and the Vancouver Canucks

Mark Easson
3 Min Read
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Justin Brazeau (16) protects the puck from Edmonton Oilers defensemen Darnell Nurse (25) during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

A Darnell Nurse trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins seems unlikely, but…

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: (as of Friday) Haven’t been able to confirm or deny the report that the Pittsburgh Penguins are one of the teams that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse would okay a trade to.

The 31-year-old has four years left on his contract at $9.25 million. He can move the puck, plays physical, but is prone to making some mistakes, and is a fourth or fifth defenseman, according to Sportsnet Mark Spector. Will the Oilers need to attach an asset to move him?

Nurse’s connection with Penguins GM Kyle Dubas runs back to Junior and the Soo Greyhounds. The Penguins could use a left-handed defenseman with size and puck-moving ability.

A trade to the Penguins does seem unlikely, but it’s possible. The Oilers could use some scoring wingers, goaltending, and a Nurse replacement. It’s believed the Oiles tried to acquire Arturs Silovs from the Canucks before the Penguins acquired him.

Why Now, and Will the Edmonton Oilers Need to Attach an Asset to Move Darnell Nurse?

Do the Penguins want more picks (as a sweetener) as they’re already looking to move out some second-round picks? Doubtful the Oilers would want to include Matthew Savoie in a trade.

Would the Oilers be willing to take the lesser contract of Ryan Graves, who has three years left at $4.5 million?

Will the Vancouver Canucks be willing to take on bad contracts for assets?

Sekeres and Price: Jeff Marek on Friday, wondering if Vancouver Canucks ownership is willing to take on bad contracts and spend the money to acquire extra assets.

“Remind us again, who’s one win away from winning the Stanley Cup, and remind me of the reputation of that owner, and remind me of the pay scale of that team.

Spending money doesn’t always equal wins. Now, I think you need to have an order that will use money as a resource, and the one area that I look at for the Vancouver Canucks is, are you willing to eat bad contracts for draft picks and prospects?

NHL Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks, and the Toronto Maple Leafs

Like, are you willing to essentially use cap, dead cap space as an asset? Are you willing to do that, because I watched that press conference where Francesco Aquilini said ‘everything’s available to them,’ and my first thought was, we taking bad contracts.”

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