Nurse Opens Up About Expanded Role with the Oilers
Every NHL team, regardless of its stage, will always have a few players dedicated to protecting the young and generational talent. While some believe that these players are no longer needed in the NHL due to the league's shift towards skill and speed, the reality appears to be different.
The Western Conference is well-known for its larger-sized players and tougher style of play, which necessitates a specific type of player to defend their stars.
For the Edmonton Oilers, Darnell Nurse has embraced this role over the past couple of years. In a recent podcast with former Oilers left winger Luke Gazdic, Nurse delved into his responsibilities and other topics.
Gazdic, drafted 172nd overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2007 NHL draft, spent three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers from 2013 to 2016. During his four years in the NHL, Gazdic played 147 games, scoring five goals with three assists for eight points, but was a -20. His notable contribution was his high penalty minutes, totalling 206.
Now, Nurse has taken on the role of mentoring younger players and ensuring their well-being on and off the ice. The hope is that Nurse's game will continue to develop and improve, especially since he signed a lucrative $9.5 million per year contract. However, this contract has sparked debates regarding its value concerning the player's contributions.
| POLL | ||
Do you remember Luke Gazdic as an Oiler? | ||
| Yes | 48 | 80 % |
| No | 12 | 20 % |
| List of polls | ||
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