TORONTO — Darnell Nurse is confident he’ll have a contract in place when the Edmonton Oilers open training camp in three weeks.
Speaking at this week’s BioSteel Camp at St. Michael’s College in Toronto, Nurse says he’s been involved in the process, even going as far as staying on top of comparable deals when it comes to negotiations.
“I’m pretty smart. I think anyone going through this process has a pretty good eye for what’s going on,” Nurse said. “I like to stay pretty involved in everything that’s going on. At the end of the day, we’re talking about my life too, not just my agent. It’ll get done. I think the talking and whatnot stays between the agent and the GM, I just kind of sit on the sideline and let them do the work.”
The 23-year-old led all Oilers defencemen in points scoring with six goals and 20 assists in 82 games last season and was second only to Oscar Klefbom in time on ice averaging 22:15 a night.
NHL top 25 under 25: Hockey's best young stars for 2018-19
Nurse’s three-year, $5.3 million entry-level deal expired last month, making him a restricted free agent for the first time in his career.
The six-foot-four, 221-pound defenceman is likely headed towards a bridge deal. Though Michael Matheson’s eight-year, $39 million ($4.875 AAV) deal has been used as a comparable for Nurse, he isn’t overly concerned about term.
“I think either way I’ve got a lot to prove still and it doesn’t matter how long it is, I think I’m just going to be hungry to get out there at camp,” Nurse said. “I’m very confident in my game, excited in myself and know how hard I’m going to work to continue to improve my game, not only over the next two years, but as my career carries on. With that said, I’m really open to anything.”
For now, Nurse remains focused on his off-season training, but would like to be in Edmonton when camp opens next month.
“I know for me personally, I want to be there with the guys when camp starts,” he said. “Those guys are like brothers to me, like family to me so it’s important. I know at some point, I’ll be playing in Oilers colours, I want it to kind of get done before camp.
“What I want and what will happen are two different things. I leave that up to the agent and GM. I just get myself ready.”
Part of Nurse’s offseason training has included working out with former Spanish national kickboxing champion Jorge Blanco. Boxing is something Nurse added to his routine late last summer and continued this year.
“You see the gloves and pads and think, ‘Oh ok, this guy’s not going to knock anyone’s head off’,” Nurse said. “That’s not really the thought process. It teaches you a lot of discipline in your movement and it’s great for cardio.
“On top of that, year there’s a boxing element to it, yeah. Its been so much of a learning experience, especially working with him and the details he puts you through, it’s a very disciplined sport.”
McDavid trying to wash bitter taste
Heading into the 2017-18 season, expectations were high on the Oilers after they snapped a 10-year playoff drought with a 103-point season. However, Edmonton struggled out of the gate last season and finished sixth in the Pacific Division with 78 points.
The feeling of being on the outside looking in once the playoffs got going in April has Connor McDavid motivated for his fourth NHL season.
“I think the only thing that really changes is just that bitter taste in everyone’s mouth with where we finished and where we left off last year,” McDavid said. “Everyone should be highly motivated and everyone had a good summer, worked hard so it’s time to show it.”
Despite setting new career highs in goals (41) and points (108) while winning his second consecutive Art Ross and Ted Lindsay trophies, the 21-year-old has his sights set on being more productive this season.
“Just want to continue on the growth that I’ve been on,” said McDavid who finished fifth in Hart Trophy voting. “There’s always ways to improve your game and ways to be more dangerous and dynamic. Looking to do that this year, obviously.
“I’ve always said I want to score more. That’s what I want to do. I want to find ways to score. I think I’m a good passer and can make plays and all that, but there’s definitely a knack to putting the puck in the net that I seemed to find a little bit later in the year last year and I’m hoping to carry that into this year."
Oilers offseason report card: Nurse re-signing remains unfinished summer business
Nurse admitted going through last season with the expectation of being a Stanley Cup contender proved to be a learning experience for the Oilers.
“One of the things we learned is you can’t believe your own hype,” Nurse said. “We didn’t have that hunger that we had the year before that made us so successful and for us this year, it’ll be good to have that back in the room and I know guys will be all ready to go.”
Due to salary cap restrictions the Oilers will be forced to return much of the same group, which missed the playoffs last season, but the captain isn’t disappointed.
Off the ice the team did make moves hiring new assistant coaches in Glen Gulutzan, Trent Yawney and Manny Viveiros to surround returning head coach Todd McLellan.
“It’s great, keeping everyone together,” McDavid said. “You don’t want them to blow things up. There were some moves to be made, but overall, keeping everyone together, I think everyone likes that.
“So, get back to where we were a couple of years ago. Everyone wants that.”
For the third time in four seasons veteran forward Scott Upshall will attend camp on a professional tryout with the hopes of earning an NHL contract. Considering his previous success with the Blues, McDavid is thrilled at the prospect of playing with the 34-year-old.
“I’m really excited about it. Really, really excited that he’s coming to camp,” said McDavid. “He’s done PTOs the last 3-4 years now and got a contract every year, I expect nothing less. He works so hard, hard to play against. Speedy, veteran guy in the room. He’s kind of everything we could really use.”