Oilers trade Darnell Nurse to Sharks

Darnell Nurse's tenure with the Edmonton Oilers has come to an end, as the team traded the defenseman to the San Jose Sharks. The move was part of a flurry of activity during the opening of NHL free agency on Wednesday.

The Oilers acquired fellow defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp in the deal. Nurse, who was selected seventh overall in the 2013 draft by Edmonton, had a significant role with the team, recording 88 goals and 236 assists for 324 points in 798 regular-season games. He also contributed 29 points in 100 playoff games, including the Oilers' two Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025.

Nurse, 31, had been playing on an eight-year, $74 million contract signed in 2021. However, he struggled to consistently perform at the level expected for such a significant investment. In the 2025-26 season, he posted just seven goals and 24 points in 82 games for the Oilers. The Oilers did not retain any salary in the trade.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks bolstered their defense by also acquiring defenseman Jacob Trouba and forward Mason Marchment, along with goalie Eric Comrie, during free agency.