The Edmonton Oilers remain in a holding pattern regarding a potential trade of defenseman Darnell Nurse as the NHL Draft approaches, with his no-trade clause severely limiting potential destinations. According to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal, Nurse's list of acceptable teams reportedly includes only Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and he has not expanded it, leaving the Oilers unable to find a suitable deal.
Darnell Nurse Trade Impasse
Nurse, 31, carries a $9.25 million cap hit for four more seasons, making him a difficult asset to move despite his 898 NHL games. The Oilers are seeking a return that includes players ready to contribute now, not prospects. TSN hockey commentator Craig Button emphasized this point: "The Oilers need players now for Darnell, not prospects. I don't see Connor and Leon being happy unless that's the case."
The stalemate continues amid a flurry of trades across the league, with players like Brady Tkachuk, Bo Byram, and Jordan Kyrou being dealt in the days leading up to the draft. Byram, 25, was traded from Buffalo to Chicago for the fourth overall pick on Friday, a move that underscores the high cost of acquiring young defensemen. Button noted that while Byram is younger, both he and Nurse possess second-pairing skills, and Byram is seeking a contract comparable to Nurse's.
Oilers Draft Strategy: Late Picks and Rare Second-Round Start
The Oilers will not make a first-round selection for the second consecutive year, having traded their 2026 first-round pick previously. Their first pick will be No. 52 overall in the second round on Saturday morning, a scenario that has occurred only three times in the franchise's 47-year history. In 2023, they selected defenseman Beau Akey at No. 56, and in 2006, they picked Jeff Petry at No. 45.
Jeff Petry, drafted out of the USHL, went on to play 1,048 NHL games, including stints with Edmonton, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Florida, and Minnesota. He stands six-foot-three and 208 pounds, a stark contrast to Akey, who is undersized at 173 pounds and has struggled with shoulder issues. Akey, a smooth-skating right-shot defenseman, was not an every-night player in Bakersfield during his first pro season and could be moved in a trade.
Barring trades, the Oilers are expected to select a forward with their first pick, potentially a hard-working winger like Zach Olsen from the Saskatoon Blades, reminiscent of Zach Hyman's playing style.
Historical Context and Rarity
This marks only the third time in Oilers history that their first pick comes in the second round. The previous instances were in 2023 (Beau Akey, No. 56) and 2006 (Jeff Petry, No. 45). The team's last first-round pick was in 2024 and 2022, both at the end of the first round: Sam O'Reilly (traded to Tampa Bay) and Reid Schaefer (dealt to Nashville in the Mattias Ekholm trade).
The Oilers' draft table will be quiet on Friday night, with scouts likely closing their books until Saturday. The team's focus remains on resolving the Nurse situation, but with limited options, a trade before the draft seems unlikely.
