If you are wondering whether Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse would actually waive his no-move clause for the Toronto Maple Leafs, you aren’t alone. Longtime Oilers insider Jim Matheson recently dropped a bombshell scenario: a one-for-one blockbuster swapping Nurse for Maple Leafs veteran Morgan Rielly.
Let’s cut right to the chase, this rumor has legs because it addresses massive headaches for both franchises. The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly actively exploring “creative” options to move on from the 32-year-old Rielly, intending to sit down and ask him to waive his own trade protection for a preferred destination. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are staring down Darnell Nurse and his massive $9.25 million AAV, wondering if clearing cap space is the only way to re-tool their roster for a Stanley Cup run. Because Nurse is a Hamilton native who grew up alongside Leafs forward Max Domi, Toronto is a highly logical destination he might actually approve.
Why a Darnell Nurse for Morgan Rielly Trade Makes Financial Sense
When analyzing NHL blockbusters, the math has to work before the hockey makes sense. Both of these defensemen are locked in long-term, carrying hefty contracts through the 2029-30 season. Rielly’s cap hit sits at $7.5 million, while Nurse’s is a staggering $9.25 million.
From the Oilers’ perspective, the incentive is obvious. Getting out from under Nurse’s contract gives them $1.75 million in immediate cap relief. In a flat-cap world where Edmonton is desperately trying to surround Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with affordable depth, every single dollar matters. For Toronto, taking on a heavier cap hit is a tougher pill to swallow, but if management believes Rielly’s time in the blue and white has simply run its course, bringing in a local product with a physical edge might be the culture shift they are looking for.
The Cap Implications and On-Ice Reality for Both Clubs
My personal take as an NHL analyst? Swapping two struggling defensemen in their early thirties doesn’t seem like it would drastically improve either club on the ice.
Morgan Rielly is a brilliant offensive puck-mover, but his defensive zone coverage has routinely been exposed in the playoffs. On the flip side, Darnell Nurse brings size and skating ability, but his hockey IQ and propensity for high-profile blunders in crucial moments have driven Oilers fans crazy. Essentially, you are trading two different flavors of defensive anxiety. Ultimately, the Edmonton Oilers would come out slightly ahead in this deal, strictly because Rielly’s cap hit is less expensive and provides GM Stan Bowman with a bit more roster flexibility.
Darnell Nurse Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 798 | 88 | 236 | 324 | 66 |
| Playoffs | 100 | 7 | 22 | 29 | -3 |
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