Top NHL insider reports Darnell Nurse having emotional reaction to fan criticism
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Darnell Nurse's play has been no where near acceptable this season, and now insiders believe he's letting the noise of Oilers fans affect him.
Multiple Oilers fans and analysts have called out Nurse for his declining play through the start of this season. He's not living up anywhere near his $9.25M contract value, which has become a major issue for Edmonton.
NHL insiders believe Darnell Nurse feeling pressure from Oilers fanbase
On the most recent edition of OilersNow, insiders Elliotte Friedman and Bob Stauffer both agreed that Nurse's play has taken a massive slide this season - and that he may be hearing the 'noise' from the fanbase.
STAUFFER: Nurse for me is not the same player he was. He was an emotive player. He was a guy that would grab somebody once in a while.
FRIEDMAN: I have to tell you, Bob, I have wondered if all of the noise has finally gotten to him. I've wondered that. I have.
STAUFFER: Yeah.
FRIEDMAN: I have to tell you, Bob, I have wondered if all of the noise has finally gotten to him. I've wondered that. I have.
STAUFFER: Yeah.
Nurse's play on the ice is an obviously a concern, and it's entirely valid for fans and media to be critical - but if he's letting that get to him, things may get even worse.
There were reports this offseason that the Oilers may have asked Darnell Nurse to waive his No Trade Clause. If those reports are true paired with feeling the noise from fans in this slow start, it could be possible to revisit the trade clause conversation.
As it stands, the Oilers simply need better from Nurse immediately. He's a core player to this roster, and he's played at a higher level than this before - even in last year's playoffs.
Nurse should take this as a personal wake up call, improve his play, and start helping the Oilers win games to climb the standings. That's all the fans want.
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