Nurse Out, Oleksiak In for Oilers

Edmonton News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 27, 2026 · 1m

Darnell Nurse is reportedly seeking a trade after 11 seasons with the Oilers, and with his no-move clause kicking in after next season, a move is almost certain — leaving a big defensive void. The Oilers are eyeing Jamie Oleksiak as a potential replacement: a physical, 6’7”, 252-pound defenseman ranked among top free agents. While Nurse consistently scores 30+ points, Oleksiak’s ceiling is 25 points — but he’s a defensive anchor who excels in depth roles, especially on the penalty kill. He’d likely slot into a third-pairing role, bringing grit and reliability without the offensive flash. With…