Darnell Nurse Salary: Both sides have agreed to an eight-year, $74 million agreement with the Edmonton Oilers. Darnell Nurse, a defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers, got a contract extension worth $74 million over eight years on Friday. The nurse was expected to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2021-22 NHL season, earning a projected $5.6 million per year. When his AAV jumps to $9.3 million for the 2022-23 season, he will see a significant pay raise.
The 26-year-old is without a doubt deserving of the contract, in my opinion. Nurse has scored at least 33 points in each of the last three seasons and hasn’t scored less than 26 since the 2016-17 season. In 2020-21, the stalwart defenseman set a career-high by scoring 16 goals in 56 games. The nurse would be the fifth-highest-paid defenseman in the league if his contract went into effect today. Only Zach Werenski and Seth Jones have higher AAVs than Erik Karlsson, Drew Doughty, or Zach Werenski right now. He’d also become the third Oiler to earn more than $8 million per year, joining Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
Despite the fact that Nurse has the most even-strength goals (15) of any blueline, the NHL’s salary cap is expected to rise by $1 million in the 2022-23 season, according to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, giving Nurse that much money could come back to haunt the organization. Despite having one of the league’s best lines in McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers have yet to enter the playoffs. After losing the Stanley Cup in 2006, they have only made it to the second round once since being swept in the first round by the Winnipeg Jets in 2020-21.
Darnell has security in case of a takeover Attempt:
Darnell Nurse, a 26-year-old defenceman, was signed to a new eight-year contract by the Edmonton Oilers yesterday. The seven-year, $74 million contract won’t start until the 2022-23 season, so he won’t be out of work until 2030. The $9.25MM cap hit is currently the fifth-highest among NHL defensemen in terms of career-defining contracts. The average annual worth, however, is not the only point to discuss. This contract also has a full no-movement clause through the 2026-27 season, as well as a reduced no-trade clause for the last three years.
A contract that is substantially weighted in favor of the firm up front, followed by generous signing bonuses, adds another degree of assurance for Nurse. After the halfway point, it’s nearly impossible to buy it out. The defenseman’s cap savings would be negligible at that point, thus his new contract would almost certainly kick in regardless of his future performance. When it comes to Nurse’s final few years in the NHL, the organization will be able to provide him with a list of ten teams to which he’d be prepared to accept a trade. To do so, you’ll need the following wage breakdown:
- $12.0 million salaries in 2022-23
- $10.4 million payouts in 2023-24
- In 2024-25, a salary of $12.0 million dollars is expected.
- $10.0 million salaries in 2025-26
- In 2026 and 2027, a $2.0 million salary plus a $6.0 million signing bonus will be handed out.
- In 2027-28, he will receive a $1.2 million salary and a $6.0 million signing bonus.
- In 2028-29, the salary will be $1.2 million, with a $6.0 million signing bonus.
- Salary in 2029-30: 1.2 million dollars + a signing bonus of 6.0 million dollars
If the team decides to buy out the contract in 2026, the cap hits $7.72 million in 2026-27, and $8.52 million in each of those three years will still apply. As the term drew to a close, the cap savings would be significantly reduced. If things go wrong, Edmonton will have to respond quickly, much as the Minnesota Wild did recently with Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. This, on the other hand, will result in some severe cap fines with no player to show for it.
Nurse’s Salary Was Quickly Reduced After an Injury
In light of the injury news, the story around Darnell Nurse’s new contract has quickly changed. Fans in Edmonton were quick to criticize his new long-term contract as well as the amount he was paid. When Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers is absent for a few weeks, it becomes clear how important he is to the team’s 12-4-0 record. Nurse signed an eight-year contract worth $9.25 million per season this offseason. His was one of a slew of multi-million dollar deals inked by blueliners who spend a lot of time on the ice.
Nurse’s critics said that he had failed to meet expectations and that the Oilers were blowing a large portion of their future salary cap on one player. Nurse’s contract was signed shortly after the 2021-22 season began, and he played between 23 and 30 minutes per game. He’s been on the ice in every game he’s played, and he has 11 assists to show for it. One of the few Oilers defensemen who hasn’t let a single shot past him and has been a positive contributor. He offers excellent play and intensity to the Oilers lineup, in addition to his physicality, and he’s one of the most consistent players in the lineup.
Darnell Nurse’s new deal with the Edmonton Oilers could be worth a lot when all is said and done
When it was announced that he had broken his finger, Oilers Nation flew into a panic. Was there a strategy in place for the Oilers to fill his spot on the roster? The solution appears to have been found by a committee. Edmonton will ask Duncan Keith, a seasoned blueliner, to play more frequently. It’s a risk because of his age, but head coach Dave Tippett appears to believe in him. Despite their lack of NHL experience, Broberg and Lagesson were promoted to the league, however, Lagesson had previously played in the league and Broberg has yet to participate in one.
When it comes to Nurse’s worth, the Oilers will swiftly find out
On Saturday night, the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Edmonton Oilers. Broberg will make his debut appearance in Nurse’s absence. If Keith and Cody Ceci are given top-pairing minutes, it will be evident that the Oilers rely heavily on Nurse and may require assistance if they fall down 5–5. If Nurse’s injury is determined to be long-term, the Oilers may lose some of their points so far this season. If matters develop to a catastrophic stage, GM Ken Holland may seek outside help. Nurse appears to be living up to the Oilers’ expectations on the field, as he continues to shine. It’s possible that it’s a lot more.
Taking a Look Ahead to See What the Future Has in Store
For all parties involved, this is a win-win situation. Nurse’s two-year deal implies he’ll be allowed to depart the team sooner than expected. The Oilers, on the other hand, will benefit from salary-cap relief next season. In the summer of 2021, Nurse and the Oilers hope to strike an agreement on a long-term contract extension. The Oilers’ future leadership group will consist of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Darnell Nurse. The nurse recognizes that the Edmonton Oilers are constructing something special, even though he could have asked for more money in the offseason.
Because he is desperate to win, he is putting the team’s demands ahead of his own. Edmonton may find itself in a similar situation if Nurse’s performance deteriorates in the coming years. It’s a risky play to take a year off before Nurse is eligible for unrestricted free agency. He’ll earn the same as Connor McDavid, who inked an eight-year, $100 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers in 2018. The team is betting on short-term success, so they’re putting a lot of money into it.