He didnt specifically say Nurse but he said Tuesday I believe right at the end about expecting a surprise move. Nurse skipping out on the requisite end of season press grilling and given he wears a letter, that to me is telling. As I have said, I would not be surprised if Nurse wants out, and I believe someone said earlier in the thread Bobble said something to the effect of him waiving his NMC. I havent listened to todays round table but interested to hear it.
I do believe that Nurse is tired of the media attention he gets. He also cannot be happy with his greatly reduced role and criticism in the media near and far for not earning his salary. He doesnt appear to think he has any issues with how he has been playing but his lower minutes, +/- and the number of own goals he scores on the team tells a different tale.
I think he cant take the heat in the Oilers kitchen and believes he is still the best cook around. Wouldnt surprise me in the least that he's spoken with JJ and said he wouldnt mind a fresh start elsewhere.
That said, we have to move Nurse if we want to resign the big 3 in the next 2 years. I cant see a world where we can retain Nurse at his current level of play.
Ah got it, thanks! Will have to try to find that. I listen to Lawton & Saravalli sometimes Friedman which is my quota.
I found the Garbage Day format kinds weird this year with much more limited availability. Agree it was strange that an assistant captain wasn't there but Kane, Bouchard, Ekholm as well. Might be as simple as an exceptional long year and only immediate, relevant peeps - majority of leadership group and free agents to be. No management either with it so close to NHL Draft weekend.
McDavid, Draisaitl and team were all really quick to jump to Nurse's defense. They've also been critical of media questioning that tie his performance to the contract. Wonder where they stand on importance of Nurse to their locker room and team on-ice. That's a big consideration with a Game 7 team and its two elites coming up for contracts.
Without question Nurse has to be tired of the negative media attention and fixation on the contract. He is a mentally strong person but who knows if it is or has reached a breaking point. He holds the cards with his contract control. Such a competitive person I'm not sure if he runs from this situation but definitely have a hard time seeing him go to a bad team just to escape.
Clearly see the team's value in moving the contract (maybe less so the player). I think Nurse can deliver reasonable value with a reset in the right setting. How he feels about his situation in Edmonton and moving on from this team is the big unknown.