Nurse traded to Sharks by Oilers for Mukhamadullin
The Edmonton Oilers have traded defenceman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks. In exchange, the Oilers received Shakir Mukhamadullin and the rights to Zachary Sharp. This transaction occurred on Wednesday as free agency commenced.
Nurse, a 31-year-old defenceman, played 12 seasons with the Oilers after being selected as the No. 7 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. Last season, he recorded 24 points, consisting of seven goals and 17 assists, across 82 regular-season games for Edmonton. He did not register any points in six Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Nurse has four seasons remaining on an eight-year, $74 million contract, which carries a $9.25 million average annual value. This contract was originally signed with Edmonton on August 6, 2021. Among Oilers defencemen, he ranks fifth in points with 324, accumulated from 88 goals and 236 assists. He is also second in games played with 798 and holds the franchise record for blocked shots with 1,467 and hits with 1,692.
Nurse has participated in 100 playoff games, tallying 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists). His playoff experience includes consecutive appearances in the Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, where Edmonton was defeated by the Florida Panthers both times.
Mike Grier, the Sharks general manager, commented on the acquisition, describing Nurse as a “strong, veteran, mobile defenseman who eats up top-pair minutes against some of the best talents in the NHL, and brings a physical element every shift.” Grier also noted Nurse’s “significant leadership qualities and experience from his time in Edmonton,” which he believes will be valuable to the Sharks’ group.
To fill the void left by Nurse, the Oilers signed defenceman Ryan Shea to a five-year, $20 million contract, with a $4 million average annual value, also on Wednesday. Shea, 29, played for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, where he recorded 35 points (six goals, 29 assists) in 80 regular-season games. He added one assist in six playoff games.
Shea was a fourth-round pick (No. 121) by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 NHL Draft. He has accumulated 41 points (nine goals, 32 assists) in 150 career games, all played with the Penguins.
Details of the trade package
The Oilers received Shakir Mukhamadullin in the trade. Mukhamadullin, a 24-year-old defenceman, spent his third season with the Sharks, recording 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 50 games. He was a first-round pick (No. 20) of the New Jersey Devils in the 2020 NHL Draft. In total, Mukhamadullin has 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 83 games, all played with San Jose.
The other prospect acquired by Edmonton is Zachary Sharp, a 21-year-old defenceman. Sharp was a fourth-round pick (No. 124) by the Sharks in the 2025 NHL Draft. He has not yet signed a contract. Last season, Sharp registered 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 37 games for Western Michigan University.
The trade was announced as part of a busy opening day of free agency for the Oilers. General manager Stan Bowman was scheduled to address the media to discuss the team’s moves, which also included acquiring goaltender Devon Levi from the Buffalo Sabres via trade.
The trade of Nurse and the subsequent signing of Shea represent significant roster changes for the Oilers as they navigate the free agency period.
Nurse himself commented on his performance, stating, “No one’s going to expect more of myself and the way I play than myself.” He added that he lives with each game and moment throughout the summer, striving to learn and grow from them.
The Oilers’ general manager, Stan Bowman, spoke to the media on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the team’s transactions.
Source: nhl.com
