Darnell Nurse, among the league's highest-paid defensemen, faces scrutiny for not consistently reaching the 60-point mark per season. Achieving such numbers often hinges on power-play opportunities, which have been limited for Nurse. He shoulders a heavy workload, often without a standout defensive partner, and plays with unwavering intensity at both ends of the ice. With the potential for a new partner and added support from
Mattias Ekholm on the left side, Nurse is determined to prove his mettle. While he may not silence his critics entirely, he's poised to showcase his on-ice prowess.