Oilers Trade Darnell Nurse: Who Steps Up?

Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman is reportedly preparing to trade veteran defenceman Darnell Nurse in the coming days. This move is expected to create opportunities for other players on the roster, particularly on the left side of the defense.

Jake Walman, acquired in March 2025 and signed to a seven-year contract, is a prime candidate to move up to the second defensive pairing. However, concerns linger about his ability to consistently perform against elite competition, as indicated by past statistics.

Connor Murphy, a key re-signing target for Bowman, also stands to play a more significant role on the second pairing if he remains with the team. Despite his veteran presence, his past performance against top-tier opponents in Chicago raises questions.

Other defencemen like Spencer Stastney, Damien Carfagna, and Atro Leppanen provide depth options. Stastney is considered best suited for the third pairing, while Carfagna and Leppanen offer mobility and offensive upside, respectively, with potential to fill in due to injuries.

The team's strategy may involve pairing Walman with Evan Bouchard to leverage their puck-moving strengths. Ultimately, the success of the defense post-Nurse trade hinges on Walman's ability to elevate his game against elite competition.