The San Jose Sharks are in the market for a top-four defenseman this offseason and could be one call away from acquiring Darnell Nurse from the Edmonton Oilers. The trade chatter has intensified after insider Jeff Marek suggested that Nurse could be heading west in exchange for a young forward like Collin Graf.
Nurse, 31, has four years remaining on his eight-year, $74 million contract signed with Edmonton in 2021. The 6’3” defenseman has been a key part of the Oilers’ defense for years, averaging 22 minutes per game and recording 42 points in 82 games during the 2024-25 season. However, with Edmonton looking to streamline its roster and San Jose desperate for blue-line help, the timing appears ripe for a deal.
Marek noted that San Jose has an overabundance of young forwards and suggested that Graf could be a viable return for the Oilers. “If you’re the Oilers, is there something there with the San Jose Sharks to take Darnell Nurse for one of their excess forwards, even if it’s someone like Collin Graf?” Marek said. “These are the kinds of things, if you’re Stan Bowman, I think you’re probably looking at right now.”
Graf, 22, had a breakout season in 2024-25, scoring 19 goals and 47 points in 82 games. The 2022 second-round pick has shown elite offensive upside and could be a valuable asset for the Oilers, though the $9.25 million cap hit from Nurse’s contract could be a sticking point.
The Oilers are reportedly open to moving Nurse after a season in which he missed significant time due to injury. San Jose, meanwhile, is looking to build for the future and could use Nurse’s two-way game to bolster a defense that struggled in the 2025 playoffs.
Graf’s combination of speed and offensive production makes him a tempting trade chip, but it’s unclear if Oilers GM Mike Grier is willing to include him in a deal. Graf’s entry-level contract runs through 2026, giving San Jose flexibility.
With the NHL draft and free agency just weeks away, the window for a Nurse-Graf trade is closing. Both teams are expected to be in constant communication as the summer approaches. A deal could be announced as early as next week.
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