Darnell Nurse PP1

[FFleming5]

I'd keep nurse if you count hits and blocks

Yep, we do count hits and blocks and SOG - Nurse had been very valuable with those cats... and now if he sticks with PP1 whoo wee

[Jouko-Pouko]

The 2018 draft is full of PP QB type D-men and I fully expect the Oilers to be one of the teams that gets that #1PP guy from this draft but unless they happen to win the Dahlin lottery, they have to wait another year or two before that player is in the NHL, so Nurse has some time to establish himself as #1PP option. If he does a good job for a year or two, it's more difficult to replace him at that point. But as we saw with Klefbom, it isn't impossible, so Nurse needs to take advantage of his opportunity now that he has it.

[Ingolo]

The 2018 draft is full of PP QB type D-men and I fully expect the Oilers to be one of the teams that gets that #1PP guy from this draft but unless they happen to win the Dahlin lottery, they have to wait another year or two before that player is in the NHL, so Nurse has some time to establish himself as #1PP option. If he does a good job for a year or two, it's more difficult to replace him at that point. But as we saw with Klefbom, it isn't impossible, so Nurse needs to take advantage of his opportunity now that he has it.

Assuming they don't win the Dahlin lottery, they'll likely pick somewhere in the 3-6 range. Do they pass on those top forwards and draft positionally though? Not really something Edmonton has done in a while.

[Daydream Nation]

So swapping out Phaneuf for Nurse a week ago was a good move?

[hockeymanG23]

Heres a quote from the last 31 Thoughts that this reminded me of.

20. Earlier this season, Darnell Nurse said the next phase in his evolution was “making opponents respect me on offence.” If Edmonton pulls off a miracle and gets in the playoffs, his four points combined versus Arizona and Las Vegas will be a turning point. He scored to get the Oilers going when they fell behind 2–0 early to the Coyotes and added the overtime winner one night later.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Assuming they don't win the Dahlin lottery, they'll likely pick somewhere in the 3-6 range. Do they pass on those top forwards and draft positionally though? Not really something Edmonton has done in a while.

To me, Adam Boqvist deserves to be in discussion for 2nd overall. Even if Boqvist is gone, Hughes is worth consideration in the Top 6.

D-men are worth more than wingers for NHL teams, so I wouldn't be surprised to see D-men going very high. Wingers just aren't that valuable in the NHL.

[Ingolo]

To me, Adam Boqvist deserves to be in discussion for 2nd overall. Even if Boqvist is gone, Hughes is worth consideration in the Top 6.

D-men are worth more than wingers for NHL teams, so I wouldn't be surprised to see D-men going very high. Wingers just aren't that valuable in the NHL.

True enough. There are definitely some great centres there though as well. Not saying the dmen shouldn't be in the talks to go high, I'm just dubious of Edmonton's decision-making when it comes to the draft.

[Jouko-Pouko]

True enough. There are definitely some great centres there though as well. Not saying the dmen shouldn't be in the talks to go high, I'm just dubious of Edmonton's decision-making when it comes to the draft.

Svechnikov, Zadina and Tkachuk are all wingers, so I don't see any centers worth considering in the Top 6. And no, I don't see Tkachuk being a center in the NHL even though he has played that position sometimes.

[bnet]

3 of the top 6 picks this year could definitely be D-men. Dahlin is #1 overall, locked in. Hughes and Boqvist, either of them could sneak into top 6 easily, really depends on what a team wants/needs.

Personally I'm hoping Canucks grab one of Hughes/Boqvist...well ideally I hope we win the draft lottery after being screwed over so many damn times!

If Edm does pick either of those ones though, can't see them playing at NHL level til earliest 2020-21 and will very likely be sheltered minutes...then again, it is Edm and they like to just throw rookies into the fire.

[FFleming5]

Did anyone see the EDM game last night? So how did Nurse look on the PP? I did see there weren't any PPG's

[MZac]

I didn't see the game but he played a team high (more than McDavid) of 4:03 with the man advantage. 23:46 total ice time, a plus 4, 3sog,1 hit, and 2 blocks.

I'd say this is promising if it keeps up. I picked him up right before the game because of this thread. The upside is worth it in case that power play starts clicking.