Oilers' Defenceman Darnell Nurse: 'Not Happy About' His Play
Darnell Nurse, a key member of the Edmonton Oilers' defence, is facing criticism for his recent performance. After a loss in San Jose, Nurse took a different approach to addressing his struggles, stating, 'I'm not happy about that at all.'
Nurse, who has been a target of criticism for his short answers and defensive-zone coverage, acknowledged his shortcomings. He said, 'It's 61 games in, and I’m minus-12 and have 20 points. I’m not happy about that at all.'
However, Nurse remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of accountability and the need to step up for the team. He said, 'If we’re going to reach the goal we want to reach, I have to step up for sure, and there’s a lot of hockey to be played.'
Despite the challenges, Nurse is determined to improve. He believes that the team has shown stretches of good play throughout the season and is excited about the upcoming games. He said, 'We’ve shown in stretches and areas throughout the season that when we check, we play really good hockey.'
The Oilers are also getting help on the blue line with the addition of Connor Murphy, a shutdown piece who has played 800 NHL games. Whether Murphy will play with Nurse remains to be seen, but Nurse is eager to work with him.
As the team looks to turn things around, Nurse's honesty and determination are a positive sign. He said, 'I owe that to the guys in the room. That’s it. No one else. Showing up each and every day and giving what I have, and enjoying it.'
The Oilers' core, including Nurse, is expressing frustration, but they remain focused on finding a winning formula. With a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, the team is poised to make a run for the playoffs. Will they find the right combination to turn things around? Only time will tell.
