Fans melt over Darnell Nurse’s Wife’s wedding kiss post while the Edmonton Oilers might be planning his exit | NHL News
Darnell Nurse is in the limelight for both a heartwarming occasion and some trade talks. His wife, Mikayla Nurse, recently shared a beautiful Instagram post featuring a kiss between them at the wedding of ex-Oilers teammate Warren Foegele. The caption, “It’s the season of love [heart emoji],” truly warmed the hearts of fans. Still, behind this lovely moment, the Oilers may be thinking about a major move concerning Nurse’s future with the team.
Darnell Nurse and Mikayla Nurse share heartfelt the wedding celebration
Mikayla Nurse uploaded a photo on Instagram that quickly became a hit with fans. The picture featured her and Darnell sharing a loving kiss during the wedding festivities of Warren Foegele, a former Oilers forward who was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021 for left-winger Warren Foegele. The wedding united several Oilers players, both former and current, emphasizing the strong community within the team. Mikayla’s caption, “It’s the season of love [heart emoji],” perfectly summed up the joyous occasion, and fans couldn’t get enough of the couple’s affection.This intimate moment provided a look into Nurse’s life beyond the rink, revealing that he’s not only a hockey star but also a devoted husband and father. The Nurses welcomed their first child, a son named Aiden, on May 24, 2025, only hours after the Oilers were eliminated from the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers quietly explore trade options involving Darnell Nurse during offseason
As fans were melting over the wedding kiss, a different narrative was playing out behind the scenes. On his “32 Thoughts” podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, known as the NHL’s top insider, dropped a major revelation. He disclosed that the Edmonton Oilers had contacted several players with no-trade clauses, including Darnell Nurse, to assess their willingness to waive them. Friedman noted, “I think basically Edmonton went to a check with all their guys who had no trade clauses, who they would want to move and say, ‘Okay, how many of you are willing to go places?’ ... But, you know, Nurse, I don’t think he wants to go anywhere”.This recent episode brought to light an intriguing revelation: it’s the first reliable sign that the Oilers might be contemplating a trade for Nurse, an important player on their defense line. Friedman didn’t state that the team specifically requested Nurse to waive his clause, but the mere act of checking in indicates they’re considering their options.
Darnell Nurse’s 2024-25 season proves he’s still a key contributor for the Edmonton Oilers
To really understand why Nurse’s potential trade is such a big deal, we should look at his path with the Oilers. He was drafted seventh overall in the 2013 NHL Draft and has been a foundational player in the team’s defense for over ten years. Across 716 career games—all with Edmonton—he’s tallied 300 points, which includes 81 goals and 219 assists. His 2024-25 season was among his best, with 33 points (5 goals, 28 assists) in 76 games, a plus-11 rating, 188 shots on goal, and 72 penalty minutes, averaging 22:22 of ice time per game.Still, his contract worth $9.25 million per year (AAV), which he signed back in 2021 and lasts until the 2029-30 season, has stirred up some discussion. The eight-year deal totaling $74 million was signed by former general manager Ken Holland, who is now with the Los Angeles Kings, and it comes with a full no-movement clause that transitions to a no-trade clause during the last three years.Also Read: The Edmonton Oilers’ left side heats up as Bob Stauffer eyes Jake Walman, Mattias Ekholm, and Mac GadowskyAnother thing to consider is that with a fixed salary cap and high hopes—supported by stars like Connor McDavid, whose wife Lauren Kyle recently suggested he’s committed to Edmonton for the long haul—the Oilers could be aiming to clear some cap space. Nurse’s $9.25 million AAV is a significant amount, and moving him might allow them to enhance the roster for a shot at the Stanley Cup.
