LD Darnell Nurse (2013, 7th, EDM)

[byrath]

These numbers do look very solid coupled with his unnatural speed for his size I know he's a player I can't wait to see, still deciding between a Nurse jersey or a Mcdavid

I'd go with Nurse for sure if I were you.
1) In a year or two you won't be able to spit in Edmonton without hitting a McDavid jersey.
2) Nurse is such an odd name. I didn't really follow the draft that year and I thought it was a nickname for weeks when I started seeing it in threads here.

 

[s7ark]

Is it just me or does if feel like the weight of the world is on this kid? Thank god Chia added Sekera and we'll see about Reinhart but I feel like there is an inordinately large amount of attention (possibly expectations) on Nurse? Maybe I am getting my read wrong?

Not really. The Oilers have added a solid vet in Sekera. They have two other promising young D in Klefbom and Reinhart. I do think the Oilers could definitely use another top pairing guy to go with Sekera.

But most Oilers fans are hoping that both Nurse and Reinhart start the season in the AHL on a pairing together to round out their game. I don't think anyone is expecting Nurse to come in and save the world next season.

 

[Jayevs]

At the time of the draft I said I'd probably take whoever Colorado takes with their 2nd rounder over Nurse and I'll easily stand behind that after seeing Bigras and Nurse develop.

 

[Highmarker]

At the time of the draft I said I'd probably take whoever Colorado takes with their 2nd rounder over Nurse and I'll easily stand behind that after seeing Bigras and Nurse develop.

Seems like a very odd thing to say. Why didn't you like Nurse at the draft?

 

[ChaoticOrange]

At the time of the draft I said I'd probably take whoever Colorado takes with their 2nd rounder over Nurse and I'll easily stand behind that after seeing Bigras and Nurse develop.

Nurse is still better by a mile. Bigras might put up better scoring numbers but that is it.

 

[Jayevs]

Seems like a very odd thing to say. Why didn't you like Nurse at the draft?

Something about him just screams Cam Barker with a mean streak to me, just seems like a very all tools no toolbox type, not to say I think he won't be an NHLer but I think he ends up a defensive #4 who will crush a few people but make some pretty big blunders especially when seeing big ice time.

Nurse is still better by a mile. Bigras might put up better scoring numbers but that is it.

Really? The only aspects of the game I think nurse is better at is physical play slap shot and being bigger. Bigras is a better skater, he controls the play more he's better defensively(a lot more cerebral think MEV/Hamhuis vs Edler/Phanuef) and as you mentioned better offensively.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Something about him just screams Cam Barker with a mean streak to me, just seems like a very all tools no toolbox type, not to say I think he won't be an NHLer but I think he ends up a defensive #4 who will crush a few people but make some pretty big blunders especially when seeing big ice time.



Really? The only aspects of the game I think nurse is better at is physical play slap shot and being bigger. Bigras is a better skater, he controls the play more he's better defensively(a lot more cerebral think MEV/Hamhuis vs Edler/Phanuef) and as you mentioned better offensively.

based on what?

Chris Bigras was garbage the one year he made Team Canada and that team fizzled out in the semis

Darnell Nurse was a tower of power for Canada not being on the ice for a single ES goal against the whole tourny and Bigras was rightfully left off the team

 

[Sweetpotato]

Something about him just screams Cam Barker with a mean streak to me, just seems like a very all tools no toolbox type, not to say I think he won't be an NHLer but I think he ends up a defensive #4 who will crush a few people but make some pretty big blunders especially when seeing big ice time.



Really? The only aspects of the game I think nurse is better at is physical play slap shot and being bigger. Bigras is a better skater, he controls the play more he's better defensively(a lot more cerebral think MEV/Hamhuis vs Edler/Phanuef) and as you mentioned better offensively.

The issue with Barker was his foot speed was awful and he had the hockey IQ of a snickers. As an oiler fan I'll admit Nurses situation scares me a bit because he's so physically dominant that it could be a Barker, Myers, Johnson, Phanuef situation where they look better than they actually are because they're a man child.

Here's the reasons however that I think that won't happen to Nurse.

-Nurse has elite skating, something others never really had, his acceleration, technique, top speed are all top notch.

-his decision making while setup in the o-zone in puck movement is questionable and will likely hinder his production, his puck movement coming out of his own zone, the neutral zone and on the rush into the o-zone are all quite good, as well as carrying the puck up the ice and joining the rush.

-his shot in his draft year was mediocre, he's definitely had to work on it and its an absolute bomb now, he just needs to get some accuracy or at least make sure it gets to the net.

I see him being a faster skating Suter or Vlasic, wont rack up points but will eat minutes, be a rock in his own zone with a whole lot of nasty, most of his points will come from assists on the breakout. I'm fine with that player.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Suter has been a consistent 35-45 point guy the last 8 years or so. I don't think Nurse is capable of that.

 

[Jayevs]

based on what?

Chris Bigras was garbage the one year he made Team Canada and that team fizzled out in the semis

Darnell Nurse was a tower of power for Canada not being on the ice for a single ES goal against the whole tourny and Bigras was rightfully left off the team

OMG the wjc! I forgot Brayden Schenn is a super star.

The issue with Barker was his foot speed was awful and he had the hockey IQ of a snickers. As an oiler fan I'll admit Nurses situation scares me a bit because he's so physically dominant that it could be a Barker, Myers, Johnson, Phanuef situation where they look better than they actually are because they're a man child.

Here's the reasons however that I think that won't happen to Nurse.

-Nurse has elite skating, something others never really had, his acceleration, technique, top speed are all top notch.

-his decision making while setup in the o-zone in puck movement is questionable and will likely hinder his production, his puck movement coming out of his own zone, the neutral zone and on the rush into the o-zone are all quite good, as well as carrying the puck up the ice and joining the rush.

-his shot in his draft year was mediocre, he's definitely had to work on it and its an absolute bomb now, he just needs to get some accuracy or at least make sure it gets to the net.

I see him being a faster skating Suter or Vlasic, wont rack up points but will eat minutes, be a rock in his own zone with a whole lot of nasty, most of his points will come from assists on the breakout. I'm fine with that player.

Did you seriously just compare Nurse to Suter or MEV?? They are elite skaters at the NHL level, not saying nurse will never surpass them but it's unlikely. Also these two play extremely cerebral games while nurse plays a flashier defensive style always going for a big hit sometimes putting him out of position.

Bogosian is probably the closest NHL comparable, it's hard to find one.

 

[Sweetpotato]

Suter has been a consistent 35-45 point guy the last 8 years or so. I don't think Nurse is capable of that.

I think with his transition abilities and his puck movement I think 30-40 per year is attainable, my main point was I'm not to worried about him being a very valuable player(1/2 dman); but, I'd say we'll have to see him in the NHL before all those worries brought up are gone.

 

[ps241]

I think with his transition abilities and his puck movement I think 30-40 per year is attainable, my main point was I'm not to worried about him being a very valuable player(1/2 dman); but, I'd say we'll have to see him in the NHL before all those worries brought up are gone.

This literally is one of the best laugh out loud Avatars ever. I don't think it applies anymore now that Katz grew a set but I think it captures the KLowe reign of terror.


I agree with the post as well Nurse will find his roll and be a valuable piece of the puzzle for the Oilers D core going forward.

 

[FLYguy3911]

I think with his transition abilities and his puck movement I think 30-40 per year is attainable, my main point was I'm not to worried about him being a very valuable player(1/2 dman); but, I'd say we'll have to see him in the NHL before all those worries brought up are gone.

When you say "I see him being a faster skating Suter or Vlasic" it certainly doesn't come off that way. He may have a 30 or 40 point season a couple times in his career (especially with McDavid in the fold), but will he do it consistently, like Suter? I don't think so. There's more to being productive than just making a breakout pass or lugging the puck to the red line. He would probably need to be a 1st PP kind of guy and I don't think that will happen.

 

[Rebuilt]

Nurse is no good. Everyone knows it.

So what do you want for him?

 

[Mr Positive]

right now it's more likely he'll be a Shea Weber than a Cam Barker. Nurse will be a solid NHLer for many years. The only question is how great he will actually be.

 

[VainGretzky]

He was considered very raw when drafted how much has he come along since ?

 

[UnrefinedCrude]

He was considered very raw when drafted how much has he come along since ?

I'd say OK.

He won gold with Canada at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship and was named one of Canada's top three players.

 

[nally]

He was considered very raw when drafted how much has he come along since ?

Generally a lurker on here...but I will say this. Nurse will be an NHL dman for sure. There is no need to compare him to Cam Barker.

I was not a huge fan of Nurse's game during the OHL playoffs. I mean he "contained" McDavid as best as any one player could. But as we learned, it takes a whole team to shut down McDavid at the OHL level.

I think Nurse will be a 3-4 dman, defensive specialist. He will put up points due to the forwards he passing the puck up to. I don't think he has the mind or decision making to be a top pairing guy. (which is weird, as he was the scholastic player of the year)
I REALLY hope I'm wrong, but I'm not setting expectations as a top pairing guy. None of our D-men I think will be top Pairing guys. Maybe Klefbom, but he won't be a huge point producer.

We need the intimidation factor with Nurse, more than anything. I'd take an early years Phaneuf intimidation factor over him putting up 40 points. We need his mean

 

[HeavyHitter99]

Something about him just screams Cam Barker with a mean streak to me, just seems like a very all tools no toolbox type, not to say I think he won't be an NHLer but I think he ends up a defensive #4 who will crush a few people but make some pretty big blunders especially when seeing big ice time.



Really? The only aspects of the game I think nurse is better at is physical play slap shot and being bigger. Bigras is a better skater, he controls the play more he's better defensively(a lot more cerebral think MEV/Hamhuis vs Edler/Phanuef) and as you mentioned better offensively.

Except Bigras isn't better defensively nor is he a better skater. You could say he's a little faster of a skater but probably barely. Nurse skates like the wind for 6'4" and watching him skate on the ice the same as McDavid shows just how good of a skater he really is.


And no I'm not saying he skates like McDavid.

 

[bucks_oil]

No worries at all about Nurse. I re-watched that OHL series vs McDavid and the WJC while the rest of you were watching the finals.

I'm absolutely floored by:
1) His skating is just fantastic
2) Defensive play and mean streak
3) Puck carrying through the neutral zone... didn't expect it to get better since last year... it did.

The only thing I'm worried about, and other have alluded to it:
4) Puck carrying/distribution on entry to the O-zone. He seems to have a bit of an Eric Brewer/Laddy Smid sort of acumen (lack thereof) once he gains the zone. Too often skating himself down the wall and limiting his options. He needs to learn to put the breaks on or use some of his lateral agility to open up plays. Hopefully he figures this out and having speedsters like Yak, Hall, McD will give him more to pass to at speed. He certainly lacks natural offensive creativity (but doesn't lack drive and physical skills).

I see him as a very dynamic 30 point guy who plays a high risk style in one half of the ice, but has the wheels to recover and plays solid D when he gets back into position. A future pairing of Nurse-Reinhart is tantalizing. These two guys compliment each other fantastically.

 

[MikeModano9]

OMG the wjc! I forgot Brayden Schenn is a super star.



Did you seriously just compare Nurse to Suter or MEV?? They are elite skaters at the NHL level, not saying nurse will never surpass them but it's unlikely. Also these two play extremely cerebral games while nurse plays a flashier defensive style always going for a big hit sometimes putting him out of position.

Bogosian is probably the closest NHL comparable, it's hard to find one.

Just go look at most if not all lists of Top Prospects in the NHL. Nurse is on all of them Bigras isn't even in the conversation.. yet you're adamant Bigras is better at Defense and skating... Nurse's two biggest strengths...

 

[Jayevs]

Just go look at most if not all lists of Top Prospects in the NHL. Nurse is on all of them Bigras isn't even in the conversation.. yet you're adamant Bigras is better at Defense and skating... Nurse's two biggest strengths...

Bigras was the only player ranked as a better skater then Nathan macKinnon in the 13 draft. Their defensive games are close and it comes down to which kind of defensive game you prefer/need.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

No worries at all about Nurse. I re-watched that OHL series vs McDavid and the WJC while the rest of you were watching the finals.

I'm absolutely floored by:
1) His skating is just fantastic
2) Defensive play and mean streak
3) Puck carrying through the neutral zone... didn't expect it to get better since last year... it did.

The only thing I'm worried about, and other have alluded to it:
4) Puck carrying/distribution on entry to the O-zone. He seems to have a bit of an Eric Brewer/Laddy Smid sort of acumen (lack thereof) once he gains the zone. Too often skating himself down the wall and limiting his options. He needs to learn to put the breaks on or use some of his lateral agility to open up plays. Hopefully he figures this out and having speedsters like Yak, Hall, McD will give him more to pass to at speed. He certainly lacks natural offensive creativity (but doesn't lack drive and physical skills).

I see him as a very dynamic 30 point guy who plays a high risk style in one half of the ice, but has the wheels to recover and plays solid D when he gets back into position. A future pairing of Nurse-Reinhart is tantalizing. These two guys compliment each other fantastically.

Good breakdown. Personally I think Nurse's floor is a #3 defenceman in a Bogosian mould, but meaner.

When you watch Nurse skate, you see where the Pronger comparisons come from. I don't think he's got the offensive IQ to be more than a 40 point guy at max, but I've got almost no worries about anything else.

His skating ability is a double edged sword, though. He's SUCH a good skater that he could do things like lead the rush and end up in the corner fighting for a puck or in front of the net in the offensive zone, but he could get back without any concerns in junior. That won't fly in the pros.

 

[ManofSteel55]

Is it just me or does if feel like the weight of the world is on this kid? Thank god Chia added Sekera and we'll see about Reinhart but I feel like there is an inordinately large amount of attention (possibly expectations) on Nurse? Maybe I am getting my read wrong?

There are high expectations, but with Klefbom surging last season and Chiarelli trading for Reinhart, there are certainly other young defensemen to take some of the load. And if Schultz rebounds, that's another. I don't think he has as much pressure as some are suggesting. He probably doesn't even start the season with the big club.

 

[slobbergob]

Except Bigras isn't better defensively nor is he a better skater. You could say he's a little faster of a skater but probably barely. Nurse skates like the wind for 6'4" and watching him skate on the ice the same as McDavid shows just how good of a skater he really is.


And no I'm not saying he skates like McDavid.

Bigras is absolutely a better skater. You can debate just about everything else, but Bigras was one of the best skaters from that draft. He skates better than Mack.