NHL Rumors: Penguins & Oilers Linked To Trade
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period identified the Pittsburgh Penguins as one of the teams Nurse would be willing to sign off on.
"Penguins GM Kyle Dubas was Nurse's GM in the OHL with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds," Pagnotta wrote.
Per Friedman on 32 Thoughts, Nurse gave the Oilers a list of three to five teams, with early reporting suggesting his preference runs toward the Eastern Conference and away from Canadian markets.
Why the Oilers Need to Move Him
Stan Bowman needs to clear cap space after a first-round exit to the Ducks, needs to accelerate a roster transition around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and is carrying a $9.25 million cap hit through 2029-30 on a defenseman whose on-ice production has declined measurably from his peak.
Frank Seravalli: Re Darnell Nurse trade request: The first team that stands out for me...the Penguins - Frankly Hockey (6/12)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 14, 2026
The Athletic's Allan Mitchell raised the possibility of Pittsburgh as a landing spot in a column this week, noting that Dubas has demonstrated a willingness to absorb veteran contracts when the player fits an organizational need.
This past season, Nurse recorded seven goals, 24 points, and a -12 plus/minus rating across 82 games played. He averaged 20:58 time on ice, which was over a minute less than the season before.
Why Pittsburgh Makes Difficult Sense
Pittsburgh typically is not a destination for NHL free agents these days, and Nurse is a player who was likely not thinking of the Penguins as his first choice when he submitted his request.
Nurse is 31 years old, he's still capable of eating heavy minutes against top competition, and would give the Penguins' right side a top-four presence that Kyle Dubas identified as a priority this offseason.
Per his season-ending press conference, Dubas said the defense is the area requiring the most significant upgrade heading into 2026-27, and the right side is pretty thin.
According to Elliotte Friedman, Oilers Darnell Nurse's preference would be a move to the Eastern Conference, and not to another Canadian team.
— Bleed Oil Blue (@BleedOilBlue) June 12, 2026
If a Western Conference destination is in play, the Los Angeles Kings appear to be a possibility.
Friedman adds there is legitimate…
Nurse at $9.25 million against the cap is a different conversation than Nurse at $4 to $5 million if the Oilers retain some salary, which Edmonton would almost certainly need to do to find a willing trade partner.
How much salary Edmonton retains, what Pittsburgh would send back, and whether Nurse ultimately views the Penguins as the right fit for the final chapter of his career still need to be determined if this goes anywhere beyond the rumor stage.
Photo Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
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