Now that Darnell Nurse has officially requested a trade out of Edmonton. Teams across the league are looking at the blue line and trying to figure out if they can make the pieces fit. One intriguing option that makes a lot of sense is the Ottawa Senators.
The Senators are reportedly looking for a top-four defenceman. While initial reports suggested they wanted a right-shot defender, adding a heavy, minute-munching presence like Nurse to their top four could completely change the dynamic of Ottawa's blue line. He brings a physical, shutdown identity that would fit incredibly well alongside a highly skilled, puck-moving player like Jake Sanderson.Â
Senators could get Nurse at a discounted price
For Edmonton, general manager Stan Bowman is desperate to shed Nurse's massive $9.25 million cap hit. But because that contract has four years left on it, the Oilers have virtually zero leverage.
This is where Ottawa can take advantage. The Senators have around $17 million in available cap space, meaning they can easily handle a big contract. However, they do have other needs to address.
Ottawa could force Edmonton to eat a significant portion of his salary or demand the Oilers throw in a premium sweetener, like a first-round draft pick or high-end prospect, just to take on the contract. That said, landing a veteran top-four defenseman at a reduced price while adding more draft capital would be a massive win for the Senators.
The real hurdle to this entire plan is Nurse's contract structure. He holds a full no-movement clause. Which makes it extremely hard for the Oilers to find a potential suitor. Largely because the teams that Nurse could give them on his trade list could not be interested in acquiring him.
If Ottawa isn't initially on that short list, the front office will have to do some heavy convincing. But if the Senators can show him that they are a competitive group on the rise and Edmonton gets desperate enough to retain salary, Ottawa could emerge as the perfect landing spot to give Nurse his fresh start.
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