Oilers' Darnell Nurse responds to harsh criticism with major change in his game
Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse was hearing some serious criticism early this season, but he's actually responded well to improve his play.
Through the Oilers' early season struggles, no other core player was behind expectations like Nurse. He was getting crushed defensively at all situations, and providing nothing offensively - but things are now starting to change.
Darnell Nurse responds to early season criticism with improved play
As Nurse was struggling heavily at all situations, the two biggest pieces of criticism came from Bob Stauffer and Elliotte Friedman - two top insiders admitting that Nurse is far below expectations.
STAUFFER: Darnell is not impacting the game, okay? He has a degree of physicality. We don't see it. He's a different player now than he was six or seven years ago.
FRIEDMAN: I have to tell you, Bob, I have wondered if all of the noise has finally gotten to him.
FRIEDMAN: I have to tell you, Bob, I have wondered if all of the noise has finally gotten to him.
Being paired consistently with Alec Regula in the month of November, Nurse has begun to settle down his game much more.
According to the Cult of Hockey, Nurse has managed to put up a positive differential of Grade A scoring chances in the last 10 games. That certainly wasn't the case early this year.
He's doing a much better job now refraining from chasing the puck wherever it goes in the d-zone and instead covering the slot area, where the goals are scored. He's also making better decisions about when to force the play, leading to fewer blown assignments and rush chances against when he's on the ice.
- David Staples, Edmonton Journal
- David Staples, Edmonton Journal
Staples really nails the problems here with Nurse when he's at his worst. He can play with reckless abandon and make unreliable plays that burn the Oilers. In a defenceman, those are costly qualities when the plays aren't executed.
Nurse is at his best when he doesn't try to do too much. He needs to be a stable defenceman that can handle top six opposition, and bring some physicality.
He won't ever live up to his price tag of $9.25M, but Nurse can still be a player that helps the Oilers win when he sticks to his strengths and high-percentage plays.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 11 | 1244 ANSWERS Oilers' Darnell Nurse responds to harsh criticism with major change in his game Do you think Nurse has shown improvement over November? | ||
| Yes | 715 | 57.5 % |
| No | 529 | 42.5 % |
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