Darnell Nurse: The NHL's Elite Shutdown Defender

Darnell Nurse is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected seventh overall by the Oilers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Nurse is known for his physicality, defensive prowess, and offensive contributions. He has been a key part of the Oilers' success in recent years, helping them reach the playoffs twice in the past three seasons.

Early Life and Career

Darnell Nurse was born on February 4, 1995, in Hamilton, Ontario. He began playing hockey at a young age and quickly developed into a top prospect. He played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 2011 to 2014.

In his final year with the Greyhounds, Nurse was named the OHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman. He also helped lead the team to the OHL championship game.

NHL Career

Nurse made his NHL debut with the Oilers in the 2014-15 season. He quickly became a regular on the team's blue line, averaging over 20 minutes per game.

In the 2016-17 season, Nurse emerged as one of the NHL's top shutdown defenders. He led the league in blocked shots and finished second in hits. He also contributed offensively, scoring 6 goals and adding 22 assists.

Nurse has continued to improve in recent seasons. In the 2019-20 season, he was named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team after leading the league in blocked shots for the second time in his career. He also set a career high with 10 goals.

International Career

Nurse has represented Canada on several occasions at the international level. He won a gold medal with Canada at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He also represented Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Playing Style

Darnell Nurse is a physical, stay-at-home defenseman who excels at shutting down opposing forwards. He is also a capable offensive contributor, with a good shot and a strong passing ability.

Nurse is known for his ability to block shots and make big hits. He is also a strong skater and is good at moving the puck out of his own zone.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Physicality
• Defensive awareness
• Blocking shots
• Making hits
• Skating
• Passing ability

Weaknesses

• Offensive consistency
• Puck handling
• Decision-making

Future Outlook

Darnell Nurse is one of the best young defensemen in the NHL. He is a key part of the Oilers' core and is expected to be a major contributor for many years to come.

Key Stats

• NHL games played: 526
• NHL goals: 40
• NHL assists: 114
• NHL blocked shots: 1,227
• NHL hits: 1,217

Table 1: Darnell Nurse's NHL Stats

| Season | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 65 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 34 | -12 |
| 2015-16 | 76 | 6 | 22 | 28 | 62 | -20 |
| 2016-17 | 82 | 6 | 22 | 28 | 79 | -25 |
| 2017-18 | 82 | 5 | 25 | 30 | 79 | -16 |
| 2018-19 | 82 | 7 | 26 | 33 | 56 | 7 |
| 2019-20 | 71 | 10 | 31 | 41 | 52 | 19 |
| 2020-21 | 56 | 6 | 22 | 28 | 40 | 21 |
| 2021-22 | 79 | 9 | 32 | 41 | 62 | 22 |

Table 2: Darnell Nurse's International Stats

Table 3: Darnell Nurse's NHL Awards

Effective Strategies

• Use your physicality to your advantage. Nurse is one of the strongest players in the NHL, and he uses his size and strength to his advantage. He is good at blocking shots, making hits, and clearing the puck out of the defensive zone.
• Stay in position and be aware of your surroundings. Nurse is a good defensive defenseman because he is always in position and aware of what is happening around him. He is good at reading the play and making smart decisions.
• Don't be afraid to make a big hit. Nurse is not afraid to make a big hit to separate an opponent from the puck. He is a physical player who is not afraid to stand up for himself or his teammates.
• Be a good skater. Nurse is a good skater who can move the puck well and get back to defend if necessary. He is also good at making plays on the breakout.

Tips and Tricks

• Practice your blocking skills. The best way to improve your ability to block shots is to practice. Go to the rink and have someone shoot pucks at you. Focus on getting your body in front of the puck and blocking it with your stick.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Always be aware of what is happening around you on the ice. This will help you make better decisions and avoid getting caught out of position.
• Don't be afraid to make a big hit. A big hit can change the momentum of the game. If you see an opportunity to make a big hit, don't hesitate to do it.
• Be a good skater. Skating is an important part of playing defense. Make sure you are a good skater so you can move the puck well and get back to defend if necessary.

FAQs

Q: What is Darnell Nurse's salary?
A: Nurse is signed to a two-year, $9.25 million contract with the Oilers. He will earn $4.5 million in 2022-23 and $4.75 million in 2023-24.

Q: What is Darnell Nurse's potential?
A: Nurse has the potential to be one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He is a physical, stay-at-home defenseman who can also contribute offensively. He is still only 27 years old, so he has a lot of room to improve.

Q: What are Darnell Nurse's strengths and weaknesses?
A: Nurse's strengths include his physicality, defensive awareness, blocking shots, making hits, skating, and passing ability. His weaknesses include his offensive consistency, puck handling, and decision-making.

Q: What is Darnell Nurse's number?
A: Nurse wears number 25 for the Oilers.

Q: What is Darnell Nurse's nickname?
A: Nurse does not have a nickname.

Q: What is Darnell Nurse's Twitter handle?
A: Nurse's Twitter handle is @NurseD25.