It's a lot like why Columbus had to retain Werenski with that nonsense deal. He's a really good player, but now will be grossly overpaid. They simply could not afford to have their fanbase see two of their top defensemen leave within a year of each other.

Edmonton was, more or less, in exactly the same boat. Holland couldn't sit back and let Larsson and Nurse walk as UFA's. Yes, Nurse is a very, very good player and yes he's definitely overpaid now.
- eichiefs9

Yup.

Fortunately for Columbus, they have oodles of cap space. Not so much in Edmonton.

Yup.

Fortunately for Columbus, they have oodles of cap space. Not so much in Edmonton.
- Wildschwein

Yeah. As much as I do think that's a bad contract and don't think Holland is doing a perfect job....I don't blame him for that one. His back was up against a wall with Nurse.

I understand the Reasons that Edmonton fans, Gm, and some on here said they gave him that contract, but the fact remains they should NOT have given him that much $$. You tell him... We think u are around a 6 mill a year guy.. maybe 7.. I will offer you 7 years at $7.5 AAV or we are going to trade you this summer or before the deadline next year... That's it. >> I am guessing you could have gotten a decent D- prospect or 2 for Nurse.

what you think the Isles would have given up for him? .. so while he held a lot of the chips b/c he bet on himself with the last 2 year deal. You didn't have to pay that absurd number.

I understand the Reasons that Edmonton fans, Gm, and some on here said they gave him that contract, but the fact remains they should NOT have given him that much $$. You tell him... We think u are around a 6 mill a year guy.. maybe 7.. I will offer you 7 years at $7.5 AAV or we are going to trade you this summer or before the deadline next year... That's it. >> I am guessing you could have gotten a decent D- prospect or 2 for Nurse.

what you think the Isles would have given up for him? .. so while he held a lot of the chips b/c he bet on himself with the last 2 year deal. You didn't have to pay that absurd number.
- niteislander

At which point he gladly leaves, and at best you get some picks and prospects in return. Which are nice, but they don’t help the Oilers now. And that’s a problem because the forward core of McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge, Puljujarvi and Hyman are built to win now.

As far as to what Lou would have given him, that’s apples and oranges. Lou has Pelech, Pulock, Mayfield and Dobson to fall back on. Holland has… Barrie, a 38 year old Keith, Ceci, Russell and Bouchard. None of whom are as good as even Mayfield defensively.

I understand the Reasons that Edmonton fans, Gm, and some on here said they gave him that contract, but the fact remains they should NOT have given him that much $$. You tell him... We think u are around a 6 mill a year guy.. maybe 7.. I will offer you 7 years at $7.5 AAV or we are going to trade you this summer or before the deadline next year... That's it. >> I am guessing you could have gotten a decent D- prospect or 2 for Nurse.

what you think the Isles would have given up for him? .. so while he held a lot of the chips b/c he bet on himself with the last 2 year deal. You didn't have to pay that absurd number.
- niteislander

Well if he wanted to go to market, why would he respond to threats of being traded? He wouldn't have to sign with whatever team he hypothetically went to so what's the issue for him? Then either way he'd get to cash in as a UFA.

At which point he gladly leaves, and at best you get some picks and prospects in return. Which are nice, but they don’t help the Oilers now. And that’s a problem because the forward core of McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge, Puljujarvi and Hyman are built to win now.

As far as to what Lou would have given him, that’s apples and oranges. Lou has Pelech, Pulock, Mayfield and Dobson to fall back on. Holland has… Barrie, a 38 year old Keith, Ceci, Russell and Bouchard. None of whom are as good as even Mayfield defensively.
- Wildschwein

no, actually it isn't.. as we are currently in the market for a Left handed D-man to replace Leddy... so ask yourself what u would have given up for Nurse b/c that would be the market. It certainly wouldn't be just some picks.

Well if he wanted to go to market, why would he respond to threats of being traded? He wouldn't have to sign with whatever team he hypothetically went to so what's the issue for him? Then either way he'd get to cash in as a UFA.
- eichiefs9

Getting a deal in place to extend him for 8 years is why he would respond. You don't think given what is happening in the world today he wouldn't have to think about getting 8 years after this year of huge money is worth anything? If that is the case then why did he sign and not just wait until next summer?

Getting a deal in place to extend him for 8 years is why he would respond. You don't think given what is happening in the world today he wouldn't have to think about getting 8 years after this year of huge money is worth anything? If that is the case then why did he sign and not just wait until next summer?
- niteislander

Because they threw $9.25M/year at him and he likely wasn't beating that on the open market next year

If the Oilers had actual concerns that he may have walked away next year then letting things get to that point would've been stupid. I'm not disagreeing that it's a bad contract, I'm just disagreeing that the Oilers would've been smart to play chicken with him and risk losing their #1 defenseman, after losing their #2 defenseman this year. The player had plenty of leverage in this situation.

Its only a matter of time before McDavid asks for trade. That team is a mess

no, actually it isn't.. as we are currently in the market for a Left handed D-man to replace Leddy... so ask yourself what u would have given up for Nurse b/c that would be the market. It certainly wouldn't be just some picks.
- niteislander

Probably something similar to what OEL cost the Canucks. A top ten 1st and an RFA forward capable of top 6 minutes/production.

Buuut the Oilers don’t NEED those things right now. They NEED (especially after Larsson’s departure) top 4 defenders. And if Nurse were to leave, they’d need a top pair defender. Which would cost them damn near as much as what Nurse just signed for.

Oilers would be damned if they let Nurse walk, and they’re damned for signing him. And it’s their own (frank)ing fault.

Because they threw $9.25M/year at him and he likely wasn't beating that on the open market next year

If the Oilers had actual concerns that he may have walked away next year then letting things get to that point would've been stupid. I'm not disagreeing that it's a bad contract, I'm just disagreeing that the Oilers would've been smart to play chicken with him and risk losing their #1 defenseman, after losing their #2 defenseman this year. The player had plenty of leverage in this situation.
- eichiefs9

Precisely.

Its only a matter of time before McDavid asks for trade. That team is a mess
- Hockeyislife

McDavid is rumoured to have wanted Keith. He also works out in the off-season with Hyman and Foegele, both of whom Holland brought on board. Considering that the organization is currently bending over backwards to make him happy, I doubt he asks for a trade.

Walking as a UFA is another story.

Precisely.
- Wildschwein

Totally agree with you and Chief.
There’s no question Holland was not in a position to play hard ball with Nurse nor was he in a position to turn him into assets. The teams core (which Nurse is part of) is looking to win now as you both said. The team would have taken a step backwards if he wasn’t signed. Holland did what he had to do, his hands were tied unfortunately.

McDavid is rumoured to have wanted Keith. He also works out in the off-season with Hyman and Foegele, both of whom Holland brought on board. Considering that the organization is currently bending over backwards to make him happy, I doubt he asks for a trade.

Walking as a UFA is another story.
- Wildschwein

Don’t feed into him. He’s just trolling. That’s all he does. Post something to stir the pot and get attention.
I guess if you throw enough sh!t against the wall, eventually some of it is going to stick.

Don’t feed into him. He’s just trolling. That’s all he does. Post something to stir the pot and get attention.
I guess if you throw enough sh!t against the wall, eventually some of it is going to stick.
- Isleshockeyman

Eklund’s recipe for success.

Eklund’s recipe for success.
- Cptmjl

Exactly.

Because he was due to be a UFA next season. What’s more, despite all the poop he takes, Nurse IS a top pairing defender. He’s also the best Oiler defender BY FAR, and losing him for nothing in FA would have been a crippling blow to their blue line.

However, I do not deny that he’s significantly overpaid. But that’s not on the player. That’s the fault of a series of inept GMs who continuously bridged Nurse right up to UFA status. Their lack of foresight left them no choice but to give him whatever he asked. And after being Richarded around for this long, I can’t blame Nurse for asking (and getting) whatever the (frank) he wanted.
- Wildschwein

Looking over Nurses' contracts, man, they could have locked him up long term 3 years ago for maybe $6m (maybe less) per over 8 years. I reckon Chia strikes again, eh?

Looking over Nurses' contracts, man, they could have locked him up long term 3 years ago for maybe $6m (maybe less) per over 8 years. I reckon Chia strikes again, eh?
- Isleshockeyman

Actually the majority of this (frank)up falls squarely on Holland. He’s the guy who signed Nurse to a 2 year deal @ 5.6 in 2020. It was then he should have locked Nurse up for 8 years @ 6.

But… 🤷‍♂️

Don’t feed into him. He’s just trolling. That’s all he does. Post something to stir the pot and get attention.
I guess if you throw enough sh!t against the wall, eventually some of it is going to stick.
- Isleshockeyman

Wait…

…you saying he ain’t Pierre McGuire?

I have been an hockey fan since 1981 I went to game 3 vs Edmonton in 1983. I have several friends and family members that I talk to everyday about the Islanders. When I post anything with the islanders its 100 percent accurate. With other teams it's just my opinion and I am not accurate most of the time. With the islanders once I hear something with the islanders i come in here

I have been an hockey fan since 1981 I went to game 3 vs Edmonton in 1983. I have several friends and family members that I talk to everyday about the Islanders. When I post anything with the islanders its 100 percent accurate. With other teams it's just my opinion and I am not accurate most of the time. With the islanders once I hear something with the islanders i come in here
- Hockeyislife

Not accurate

Not accurate
- Cptmjl

Wait…

…you saying he ain’t Pierre McGuire?
- Wildschwein

No, but he might be Garth Snowtard.

I have been an hockey fan since 1981 I went to game 3 vs Edmonton in 1983. I have several friends and family members that I talk to everyday about the Islanders. When I post anything with the islanders its 100 percent accurate. With other teams it's just my opinion and I am not accurate most of the time. With the islanders once I hear something with the islanders i come in here
- Hockeyislife

Not. Even. Close.

Not. Even. Close.
- Isleshockeyman

No, I can confirm his information is accurate. I speak with everyone that works at the car wash and a Town of Brookhaven Code Enforcement officer on a weekly basis.