Trade speculation is heating up in the hockey world, with prominent voices in Toronto openly discussing a potential blockbuster swap involving the Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers.
Radio Show Sparks Major Trade Talk
On a recent episode of the Toronto sports radio podcast The Real Kyper & Bourne Show, co-host and NHL insider Nick Kypreos posed a provocative question to guest Doug MacLean, a former NHL coach and general manager. Kypreos asked MacLean to speculate on the possibility of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers executing a one-for-one trade involving defencemen Darnell Nurse and Morgan Rielly, assuming both players would waive their no-movement clauses.
Kypreos suggested that both high-profile defencemen, who have faced criticism for their recent play, might benefit from a change of scenery. "Maybe Nurse and Morgan have a lot in common where they are good defensemen, but it’s just not working out lately," Kypreos said, framing the hypothetical deal.
MacLean's Enthusiastic Endorsement
Doug MacLean did not hesitate with his response. While acknowledging that Nurse's play has been "awful this year" and that his $9.25 million annual salary cap hit is a tough contract to swallow, MacLean was strongly in favour of the move from the Maple Leafs' perspective.
He expressed significant doubts about Rielly's current value, stating, "I don’t know if he’s a Top 4 guy right now." MacLean referenced a time when Rielly, who will turn 32 in March, was on the verge of becoming a great number-two defenceman in Toronto, but implied that time has passed.
"I do that. If I could do Nurse for Morgan Rielly, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I’d take a chance," MacLean declared emphatically. When asked by Kypreos if the trade made sense for both sides, MacLean reiterated, "I’m just saying if I was getting Nurse, I would do it in a heartbeat." Co-host Justin Bourne agreed, noting the proposal "makes some sense."
The Perplexing Case of Darnell Nurse
This radio speculation, while not based on any confirmed negotiations, highlights the fluctuating perception of Darnell Nurse's value around the league, even with his massive contract. Nurse's performance has become a topic of intense debate.
He played the best two-way hockey of his NHL career during the 2024-25 regular season, but followed it with a fourth consecutive disappointing playoff performance, where he was criticized for leaking goals and high-danger chances against. That poor form has largely carried over into the current season, though reports suggest his play has been "trending up a bit lately."
The central question surrounding the Oilers' defenceman remains: just who is this player? Analysts suggest that if Nurse could consistently focus on sound positional defence, physically dominate opposition forwards, and make quick, accurate puck movements, he could still be a highly effective player. For now, the trade rumors sparked in Toronto add another layer to his complex NHL narrative.