Oilers rumors: Western Conference team added to Darnell Nurse sweepstakes

The Edmonton Oilers continue exploring the trade market for Darnell Nurse after the longtime defenseman requested a move earlier this month. While The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta has reported that he has four teams on his trade list — the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings — another club has emerged as a potential suitor.

“Edmonton continues to explore Nurse trade options. Multiple sources say Anaheim has expressed serious interest in Nurse,” the hockey insider wrote on X on Friday night.

“As we know, Pittsburgh, LA and Philly are in his trade list. You can add Boston to his list, as well.”

The Ducks’ blue line is going to look a ton different than it did in 2025-26. Olen Zellweger was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, while John Carlson has already told general manager Pat Verbeek that he will not be re-signing and will instead test free agency on July 1.

Anaheim will need to replace both Zellweger and Carlson, and they might not be the only defensemen not returning. There have been rumblings that Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas — who are both set to become UFAs on July 1 — could choose to test the market as well.

As it stands, the Ducks only have three rearguards under contract in Jackson LaCombe, Drew Helleson and Tristan Luneau; both Pavel Mintyukov and Tyson Hinds will be restricted free agents on July 1.

Anaheim has a plethora of cap space to work with, with PuckPedia projecting the organization with over $44 million. Thus, the Ducks could easily absorb Nurse’s hefty $9.25 million cap hit.

Whether or not he would be willing to be waive his no-trade clause within the Pacific Division is up in the air; the Ducks just beat the Oilers in six games in Round 1 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, ending Edmonton’s hopes of making it back-to-back-to-back years with a Finals appearance.

Although Nurse has seen his offensive statistics dwindle, he just played a full 82-game regular-season slate, and is still capable of playing upwards of 20+ tough minutes per night.

The 31-year-old has five seasons remaining on his current contract.

It’s been reported that Oilers GM Stan Bowman is actively trying to trade Nurse, and it’ll be interesting to see if the Ducks end up making an offer at some point this offseason.

The post Oilers rumors: Western Conference team added to Darnell Nurse sweepstakes appeared first on ClutchPoints.