Oilers' Nurse to Penguins? Don't Underestimate the Dubas Factor
There are NHL players who become much better known for their contracts than for their actual hockey. Darnell Nurse might be the best current example. Mention his name, and the conversation usually turns immediately to the $9.25 million cap hit. That's understandable. It's a big number, and when a player carries that kind of contract, expectations rise right alongside it.
But here's the thing. General managers don't always see players the same way fans do.
Kyle Dubas thinks differently from many general managers.
That's why one rumour caught my attention this week. Reports suggest the Pittsburgh Penguins could be on Nurse's short list if he is ultimately moved out of Edmonton. If that's true, one name immediately enters the conversation: Kyle Dubas.
Dubas has never exactly hidden his affection for players with ties to the Soo Greyhounds. Whether it's familiarity, trust, or simply his belief that he knows the player better than most, Dubas has repeatedly shown that past relationships matter to him. And Nurse fits that pattern.
The funny thing is, Nurse isn't really the player many people have made him out to be. Has he lived up to every dollar of his contract? Probably not. But there is a large gap between "overpaid" and "bad player," and sometimes hockey discussions blur the two.
Related: One Question Is Driving Every Oilers Decision Right Now.
Nurse is still a solid blueliner.
Nurse still brings a lot to the table. He skates well. He plays a physical game. He blocks shots. He has extensive playoff experience. He's capable of handling difficult minutes and can move the puck better than many traditional stay-at-home defenders. He's not a perfect player. But it's certainly not a player without value.
The bigger question is what Pittsburgh is trying to accomplish. Over the past couple of years, Dubas has talked about getting younger and accumulating assets. At the same time, the Penguins remain tied to the final competitive years of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. Organizations often say they're rebuilding while simultaneously trying to win one more playoff round.
That's where Nurse becomes interesting. If Dubas believes the Oilers' situation has depressed Nurse's value, he may see an opportunity. Not necessarily to acquire a superstar, but to acquire a useful veteran defenceman whose reputation has fallen faster than his actual play.
What would it take for the Penguins to bring Nurse to Pittsburgh?
The acquisition cost will be fascinating. Some believe Edmonton may need to attach assets to move the contract. Others think teams seeking experienced top-four help could still pay a meaningful return. Somewhere in the middle is probably the truth.
What makes Pittsburgh feel different, though, is that this wouldn't simply be a transaction. It would be a reunion between a general manager and a player whose history he already knows well. And if there's one thing we've learned about Kyle Dubas over the years, it's that he rarely ignores a familiar face from the Soo.