Player Discussion Darnell Nurse '24-25 Season Discussion

[Bryanbryoil]

I must say that he is looking to play a more physical game and might even seem a bit bigger/stronger than previously? I respect that because if he is going to be mostly the same player at least this brings something of value to our blueline.

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[MessierII]

If he can ramp up the physicality it starts from there. Get back to his roots which is just being a terror to play against in our zone. Remember him on the world junior team with mcdavid is 2013 or 14 or whatever it was? Get back to that.

 

[TheGingaNinja]

This was his second decent game. Hopefully a trend. Stetcher seems to be the right guy to bring out Darnell's game, just need it to continue.

 

[Soundwave]

Darnell the moment he learns his next RD partner is going to be a bit undersized but has some puck skill

Dude certainly has a type, lol.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Darnell with two solid games and a 2 game point streak. A lot of us were saying all he needs is a puckmover on his pair. This way he focuses more on the defensive side and rushing the puck instead of trying to become a first pass defenceman.

It's working very well so far so hopefully he keeps it up!

 

[Jarvi]

I've panned Darnell as much as anyone, but from how he has looked recently I wouldn't be shocked if he had himself a bit of a redemption season.

No doubt he has heard the criticisms of his contract, and knows the pressure that is on this franchise from the cap and how he is viewed by many because of that. He doesn't want to play himself off this team, or become enemy #1 to the fans again, like last playoffs.

Idk, I wouldn't bet on it. But I also wouldn't be surprised to see him go out and get 15g, 50+pts this year, while being a nasty defender. Does that make him worth 9.25? Idk but it's not something I'm gonna complain too much about if thats what we get out of his cap, especially if he can limit his brainfarts and keep it up in the playoffs.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

He plays with Stetcher like he played with Bear.

Just brings out a less dumb player for some reason. I don't know why. No clue why Ceci turned him into a moron, but he's looking like a very serviceable top-4 again.

 

[Soundwave]

I think when Nurse sees he has a small guy on his pairing, whether he's even consciously aware of it, he subconsciously thinks

"Damn this guy is small, I'm going to have to play more physical and let the small guy do more of the puck skill stuff", which then simplifies his game.

When he sees a bigger D on his pairing he goes

"Well the other guy can hit too, time for me to do more and be more of a rover"

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

60.7% D-zone starts this season (58%; 64% 55.7% the previous three years). This player's deployment heavily tilts to hard goal suppression situations and maintains a double figure goals, 30 point production, career 22:33 avg toi with high PK minutes and close-out play. Prone to bad brainfarts but this guy gets overplayed with heavily weighted d-zone starts and critical situational play. Not absolving his poor decision making.

Top PK minutes tonight and hard 21:26 TOI. Fight. Points in two games. Get Nurse a quality 2RD partner and let's see this team go.

 

[harpoon]

Darnell Nurse vs. Michael McCarron, October 17, 2024 - Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators | HockeyFights

HockeyFights - Darnell Nurse vs. Michael McCarron, October 17, 2024 - Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators

www.hockeyfights.com

That’s not much of a fight if we’re being honest.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Darnell Nurse vs. Michael McCarron, October 17, 2024 - Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators | HockeyFights

HockeyFights - Darnell Nurse vs. Michael McCarron, October 17, 2024 - Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators

www.hockeyfights.com

That’s not much of a fight if we’re being honest.

It wasn't but going off of memory McCaron kind of jumped him from behind before Nurse could turn around.