Edmonton has traded defenceman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks in a move that signals a significant shift for the team. The transaction, which occurred during the opening of NHL free agency, saw the Oilers acquire blueliners Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp from San Jose.
Nurse, who was selected seventh overall by the Oilers in the 2013 draft, recorded 88 goals and 236 assists for a total of 324 points, along with 725 penalty minutes, across 798 regular-season games. The 31-year-old also contributed 29 points, including seven goals and 22 assists, in 100 playoff games, which included Edmonton‘s appearances in the Stanley Cup final in 2024 and 2025.
His previous eight-year, US$74-million contract, signed in 2021, had been a subject of discussion. In the 2025-26 season, Nurse registered seven goals and 24 points in 82 games for the Oilers. Edmonton did not retain any salary as part of this trade.
New Additions to the Oilers’ Roster
Following the trade, the Oilers quickly utilized the newly freed cap space. They signed free-agent defenceman Ryan Shea to a five-year contract worth $20-million. Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman commented on the trade, stating that while they are trading away a very good player in Nurse, the incoming defencemen will bring different elements to the team, which he believes will be a big boost for their defence.
Shea, 29, played 80 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, where he scored six goals and provided 29 assists.
In addition to Shea, the Oilers re-signed forward Kasperi Kapanen to a one-year, $2.6-million deal. They also acquired goalie Devon Levi and a 2028 seventh-round pick from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2028 third-rounder. Levi spent the past season with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.
Bowman expressed optimism about Levi, noting that the most important thing was to find a good young goalie with a lot of promise. He also confirmed that netminder Tristan Jarry would return next season. Bowman highlighted Levi’s recent success in the American League, suggesting he is close to an opportunity at the next level and sees significant upside in his game.
Details on Incoming Defencemen
Shakir Mukhamadullin, who is 24 years old, played 50 games for the Sharks last season, recording 12 points, including five goals and seven assists, along with 22 penalty minutes and a -3 plus/minus rating. Across 83 career games over parts of three seasons with the Sharks, he accumulated 22 points, including seven goals, and 34 penalty minutes.
Mukhamadullin was originally a first-round selection, 20th overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Zack Sharp, 21, recently completed his second season with Western Michigan University (NCAA). During his time there, he registered 19 points, including five goals, 18 penalty minutes, and a +15 plus/minus rating over 37 games. Sharp was drafted by the Sharks in the fourth round, 124th overall, in the 2025 NHL Draft. Meanwhile, the Sharks have also added defenceman Jacob Trouba, forward Mason Marchment, and goalie Eric Comrie through free agency.
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Source: tsn.ca
