The Detroit Red Wings have made steady strides in their rebuild, but with the 2024-25 season approaching, they’re looking to take the next big step: becoming a playoff contender. One trade pitch making waves could help them do just that, with the proposed acquisition of star defenseman Darnell Nurse from the Edmonton Oilers.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, a fan-crafted trade suggests the Red Wings would send defenseman Olli Maatta and a 2026 first-round pick to the Oilers in exchange for Nurse, creating a blockbuster deal that could bolster Detroit’s blue line in a significant way.
Trade Proposal:
– Red Wings receive: Darnell Nurse
– Oilers receive: Olli Maatta, 2026 first-round pick
This deal sees Detroit taking on Nurse, a dynamic defenseman with a blend of experience, physicality, and offensive upside, to shore up the back end. Nurse is currently entering the third year of an eight-year, $74 million contract, but his role in Edmonton has diminished, making him a potential trade candidate. Detroit, with ample cap space, could absorb his $9.25 million annual hit, adding a veteran presence alongside young star Moritz Seider.
Last season, Nurse notched 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points over 81 games. With 640 NHL games under his belt, the former seventh overall pick has been a key player for the Oilers but may be a better fit in Detroit, where he can play a leadership role and help improve the team’s defense and offense.
A Win-Win Deal?
For Edmonton, the proposed trade brings in Maatta, who offers stability on the blue line, and a valuable first-round pick. Maatta is a solid but unspectacular defender who contributed four goals and 14 assists in 72 games last season. His cap hit of $3 million is far more manageable than Nurse’s, giving the Oilers more financial flexibility while still providing a capable replacement on defense.
Red Wings’ Defensive Focus
The trade aligns with Detroit GM Steve Yzerman’s focus on strengthening the team’s defense heading into the new season. While the team has made progress, Yzerman has repeatedly emphasized the need for improvement on the defensive end.
“We need to be a better defensive hockey club top to bottom,” Yzerman stated. “Our special teams improved last season, and we scored more goals, but we gave up too many to make the playoffs.”
With Nurse in the mix, Detroit would be addressing one of its biggest areas of need. His addition could provide a major boost, especially alongside Seider, as the Red Wings push for a postseason berth for the first time since 2016.
A Summer of Trade Speculation
Nurse’s name has floated in trade rumors all summer. Despite being a key part of the Oilers for nearly a decade, Nurse’s $9.25 million cap hit and diminishing role make him a challenging fit in Edmonton. He was even listed as a trade candidate by Daily Faceoff, although insider Frank Seravalli noted the difficulties in moving his contract due to the $24 million in backloaded signing bonuses.
Even so, Nurse remains a solid top-four defenseman with the potential to thrive in a new environment, and the Red Wings might just be the team to unlock his full potential.
As the 2024-25 NHL season draws near, Detroit’s October 10 home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins could be the start of something special—especially if a player like Nurse is patrolling their blue line.
