Pressure is mounting on the Edmonton Oilers to trade defenceman Darnell Nurse, with the Anaheim Ducks emerging as a serious suitor, according to multiple sources.
Ducks show interest in Nurse
NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that Edmonton continues to explore Nurse trade options and that multiple sources indicate Anaheim has expressed serious interest in acquiring the blueliner. Pagnotta also noted that Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia are on Nurse's trade list, with Boston now added as well.
Dreger: No headway, Nurse may need to expand list
TSN's Darren Dreger stated that there has been no progress on a Nurse trade, suggesting the player might expedite matters by expanding his list of preferred destinations. "Keep in mind the Oilers are up against it in this deal. Darnell Nurse, who has formally requested a trade, submitted a three-team list that he would go to. So Bowman, I believe, has been grinding those three teams. 'OK, you're either interested or you're not interested.' ... What happens next is that Bowman is going to have to circle back to the Nurse camp to go, 'OK, well, three teams, it's not getting it done.' And there's no benefit — at least I think that's the feeling from both sides here — there's no benefit to Darnell Nurse dragging this through the summer or the Edmonton Oilers dragging this through the summer. The time to get something done is perhaps this weekend or soon after July 1... But it might require the player to expand that three team list," Dreger said.
Oilers facing deadline pressure
The Oilers are under pressure to finalize a deal before the summer drags on, with both sides preferring a resolution soon. Nurse formally requested a trade, and the Oilers have been working through his list of approved teams. With Anaheim now in the mix, the situation could accelerate.
