Darnell Nurse might have a new favorite destination if the Oilers decide to move him. Forget Pittsburgh for a second. The Philadelphia Flyers are now reportedly the top option on the defenseman’s radar.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported that Nurse’s preference has shifted toward the Flyers, thanks in part to family ties. His uncle is former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, and that connection matters here. Kypreos wrote: “With a no-move clause, Nurse is in control of his destiny for one more year before his contract goes to a 10-team list. I’m hearing his preference right now is Philadelphia, where he has family ties to his quarterback uncle, Donovan McNabb.”
But the Penguins aren’t out of it yet. Kyle Dubas is reportedly interested in adding Nurse to Pittsburgh’s blue line. Dubas wants some physical presence on the back end, and Nurse fits that description. So this could turn into a bidding war between two Eastern Conference teams.
What Philadelphia Would Have to Give Up
If the Flyers want Nurse, they’ll need to put together a serious offer. We’re talking roster players and draft picks. Philadelphia has some young assets and cap flexibility, but they’d have to decide how much they’re willing to part with for a 29-year-old defenseman with a hefty contract.
The Oilers are feeling some urgency here. They just hired Mike Babcock as head coach, and that might speed up their timeline for making a move. Nurse is coming off a season where he scored 7 goals and 24 points in 82 games. The year before that he had 5 goals and 33 points in 76 games. Solid production, but nothing crazy for a guy making $9.25 million AAV.
That contract is the elephant in the room. The cap hit is steep, and that’s what could scare some teams off. But apparently it hasn’t killed all interest. A few teams are still poking around.
Nurse Could Use a Fresh Start
Nurse has reportedly told people he’s interested in Philadelphia. It makes sense. Playing near family, getting a change of scenery after seven seasons in Edmonton. The Oilers have been good but they haven’t won anything, and Nurse has taken some heat from fans for his play and his contract.
Free agency opens up soon, which means these talks could heat up fast. The Oilers want to stay competitive, so they’ll listen to every offer before making a call on Nurse’s future. Whether he ends up in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or somewhere else is still up in the air. But the list is getting shorter.
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