Darnell Nurse has sparked a wave of trade speculation after posting a meme on Instagram that seemed to contradict a report claiming he refused to waive his no-movement clause “under any circumstances.” The meme—“Why you always lying?”—was widely interpreted as a sarcastic jab at the report, suggesting Nurse may be more open to a move than previously thought. Though he didn’t explicitly confirm trade talks, the cryptic social media post quickly ignited debate among fans and insiders alike.
Behind the scenes, Edmonton Oilers management, led by GM Stan Bowman, has reportedly reached out to multiple players with trade protection clauses to gauge their willingness to move, including Nurse. While some players, like Viktor Arvidsson, have agreed to consider options, Nurse and Adam Henrique were among those who declined. According to insider Elliotte Friedman, Nurse is currently unwilling to waive his full no-move clause, which is still in effect for the time being but will eventually transition to a 10-team no-trade list.
Nurse’s contract has become a contentious point for the Oilers. Signed to an 8-year, $74 million deal with an annual cap hit of $9.25 million, he remains one of the team’s highest-paid players. However, his postseason performances have often drawn criticism, with some analysts and former NHLers—like Mike Commodore—suggesting he’s not living up to the deal. As the Oilers face a cap crunch, especially with Evan Bouchard’s extension looming, Nurse’s contract continues to loom large over roster decisions.
Despite the public buzz, some NHL insiders are pushing back against the idea that a trade is imminent. TSN’s Ryan Rishaug and The Hockey Writers have both downplayed the rumors, stating that there’s no real traction on any Nurse trade at this point. Even Friedman, despite reporting the Oilers’ inquiry, emphasized that Nurse’s stance remains unchanged, and management is not actively shopping him—at least not for now.
Among fans, opinions remain divided. Some argue that moving Nurse could open up much-needed cap space for the team to improve other areas, particularly after another disappointing playoff run. Others believe the 29-year-old defenseman still offers enough value and leadership to remain a key part of Edmonton’s core. While no trade is in motion yet, the situation remains fluid, and Nurse’s own public response suggests there may be more happening behind closed doors than meets the eye.
