As the Darnell Nurse saga continues, one truth remains. No matter how this plays out, whether he stays in Edmonton another year or waives his no-movement clause and ends up elsewhere, it didn't have to be this way.
Nurse could have overcome criticism of his salary and maybe even become a fan favourite if he had played to his strengths instead of trying to be something he isn't. He has never been an offensive defenceman, averaging 33 points over the last nine seasons, but he has the tools to be a punishing, intimidating presence who makes opponents afraid to go near Edmonton's net. If he contributes 33 points, plays solid defence, logs 20 minutes a night, and establishes a reputation as a vicious predator, his $9.25 million salary doesn't seem as bad.
Without that edge, it seems pretty bad.
Other thoughts on the week that was
Among the silliest suggestions about the Edmonton Oilers-Bruce Cassidy situation is the idea of hiring a one-year interim coach and waiting until Cassidy is free. This team doesn't need more instability, nobody good would come on a one-year contract, and experimenting with a temporary coach during what might be Connor McDavid's final season is risky.
Beyond the money Daryl Katz is willing to pay, the Oilers coaching job may not be appealing. There is about a 95 percent chance players will tune you out and you'll be fired in two years, with the average coaching lifespan in the McDavid era being 171 games. There's also about a 50-50 chance McDavid could be gone in one year, leading to a rebuild.
Has an NHL player ever rewritten his story more dramatically than Mitch Marner? A year ago, he was seen as a problem in Toronto, a glory boy who didn't show up in big games. Now he's a clutch player dominating the Stanley Cup Final. He also set up McDavid for the winning goal at the 4 Nations Face-Off, which is a tough look for the Maple Leafs.
Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon is exactly what I would want in a GM: ruthless, unforgiving, demanding, and unapologetic. He knows talent and how to construct a team. Three Stanley Cup Finals in nine years is hall-of-fame consistency.
Forget the narrative that McCrimmon's hard-line approach will catch up with him. Vegas has one simple rule: if you pull your weight and earn your money, you're golden. If not, they might get rid of you. Strong players go to organizations that know how to win, and Vegas is that place.
The way NHL award winners are trickling out over social media at random times is weird, but until the league figures out a decent awards show, this is best. The cringing while hosts try to be funny is tough on the neck and shoulders.
Media people sometimes twist themselves into pretzels finding reasons to avoid the obvious when voting, especially for the Hart Trophy. They consider team strength, linemates, shot attempts, and voter fatigue, like when Taylor Hall won the award for finishing sixth in league scoring with 93 points while the Devils made the playoffs by one point.
