Oilers Coach Paul Coffey Gives Promotion to Darnell Nurse, Shakes Up Blue Line
Oilers Defenceman Darnell Nurse has been playing some of his best hockey in years this season, and now, defence coach Paul Coffey is promoting him to the first pairing.
Coffey recently revealed that he met with Darnell Nurse several times this summer and promised him a bigger role on the ice, but said that Nurse needs to improve his play first.
Nurse has consistently been a much improved player this season, and now as the Oilers are shuffling their defence pairs, he's getting the top assignment with Evan Bouchard.
The Oilers tried out these pairings in last night's comeback win over the Boston Bruins, a sign that it may have been an effective change.
Edmonton Oilers shake up defence pairings, promote Darnell Nurse
This move also comes at a time when the Bouchard and Ekholm pairing, while it does feature the team's best defenceman, has been struggling a bit lately, and facing criticism for their play.
Players that handle the puck more and attempt more skill plays are going to have more giveaways, but the results of Bouchard and Ekholm have apparently declined enough that Coffey is willing to make a change.
Making that change and promoting Darnell Nurse is the right move at the moment. The Oilers can see if they get different results separating Bouchard and Ekholm, and reward Nurse for his quality play this year.
In addition, forward Kasperi Kapanen was absent from practice today. With the NHL's holiday freeze there's no incoming transactions, so it's likely a maintenance day or an injury from last game holding him out.
The Oilers should continue to switch up their defence pairings as they scout for the best possible addition they can make to their lineup in a trade. This definitely won't be the last time they switch pairs, and they could surely go back to Ekholm and Bouchard.
More details and analysis to come.
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