Oilers Suggested to Target Dylan Larkin in Darnell Nurse Trade – But It’s a Long Shot

A wild trade idea is circulating among hockey insiders, suggesting the Edmonton Oilers could be eyeing a blockbuster deal to send Darnell Nurse to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for center Dylan Larkin. The rumor, first floated by The Athletic’s Allan Mitchell, has quickly been met with skepticism from fans and analysts alike. While the Oilers are clearly looking to add veteran scoring depth, the numbers and context don’t support a Nurse-for-Larkin swap.

Mitchell wrote: “Expect a veteran player with an outsized contract to arrive as part of the return.” He then suggested Larkin, who has publicly requested a trade from Detroit, might be a target for Oilers GM Stan Bowman. That’s where the logic unravels. Larkin, 28, carries a $7.5 million cap hit through 2027-28, making it less than half of Nurse’s $9.25 million annual salary. Larkin also ranks among the NHL’s top centers with a career 67.2 points per 82 games, while Nurse has averaged 15.5 points per 82 games over his career.

One fan in the comments section summed it up: “Dylan Larkin has an outsized contract? How so? Besides that: Larkin is younger than Nurse, has a cheaper contract than Nurse, and is WAAAAY better of a hockey player at his position than Nurse is at his. How is this even a serious suggestion?”

The math just doesn’t add up. Even if the Oilers were to include Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the deal to balance the cap, it would still be a stretch. All three players, Larkin, Nurse, and Nugent-Hopkins, have no-movement clauses, making any multi-player trade nearly impossible without buyouts or third-party involvement.

Detroit GM Steve Yzerman is no fool. He’s known for making shrewd, strategic moves, and this one doesn’t pass the smell test. The Oilers are also unlikely to part with Nurse, a top-four defenseman who plays a key role in their title defense. Nurse’s 19 points in 44 games this past season were below his career average, but his defensive value and experience still make him a key piece.

So what’s next? The Oilers are expected to be active in free agency and the trade market as they chase their third Stanley Cup in five years. The Red Wings, meanwhile, are in rebuild mode and could explore moving Larkin to a contender. But unless there’s a massive third-party offer or a seismic shift in cap space, a Nurse-Larkin swap remains a pipe dream.

Stay tuned for updates ahead of the July 15 trade deadline.