Oilers' Darnell Nurse makes a hilarious mistake for a $9.25M player
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Defenceman Darnell Nurse is one of the core players for the Edmonton Oilers, but he didn't look like it for a second last night during a hilarious fall.
Now 30 years old, Nurse has played 718 career games with the Oilers since being selected in the first round of 2013 draft. He's become a key piece for the team, but has also struggled at times to meet his $9.25M salary worth - like one moment tonight.
Darnell Nurse panics and falls behind Oilers net in hilarious mistake
In the second period of tonight's game between the Oilers and Rangers, Darnell Nurse had a full-on cartoon fall.
While trying a head fake on a forechecking Rangers forward, Nurse faked himself out so hard that he stumbled while slowly falling backwards on his behind.
Even though Oilers fans are still rooting for him to succeed, plenty of fans are fed up with this kind of play from a $9.25M player.
This is just one play, but Nurse hasn't had a great game otherwise - and it really showcases his subpar skating. Oilers fans online were quick to rip on Nurse for the mistake.
When other elite NHL defenceman like Cale Makar, Miro Heiskanen, and Lane Hutson are all making less than Nurse's salary, seeing plays like this just stings.
Despite Nurse's overpaid contract, the Edmonton Oilers have still found a way to construct one of the NHL's top rated bluelines. Expected to be paired with Jake Walman later this year, perhaps Nurse can elevate his game with a new full time partner.
Most importantly, the New York Rangers didn't score on this ugly turnover from Nurse, otherwise this would live on in sports misplay packages for years.
