Five Edmonton Oilers defenders who could step up after a Darnell Nurse trade

Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman is expected to trade veteran defenceman Darnell Nurse in the coming days, creating opportunities for several defensemen. The left side is unlikely to land a feature player, potentially sending Nurse’s replacement to the right or a forward to fill gaps. Jake Walman, acquired in March 2025 for a 2026 first-round pick and signed to a seven-year, $7 million AAV contract in October 2025, could slide into the second pairing with Nurse’s exit. Walman’s 5-on-5 results against elites, coupled with injuries last season, suggest improvements are needed to handle top competition.