According to TSN Insider Bob McKenzie, a deal between the Edmonton Oilers and defenseman Darnell Nurse is all but done. Term and money have been set and the deal should be finalized very soon.
McKenzie says the extension will be for two years and the average annual value will be a shade over $5.5 million per season. That's a far cry from the $8 million Nurse had been seeking. But, of course, you always start high in negotiations.
Nurse has become a major part of Edmonton's blueline, providing grit as well as offensive prowess. The 25-year-old had 10 goals and 41 points last season and is on pace to match that, or come very close, this season with four goals and 24 points in 55 games. He is a former first round draft pick, taken seventh overall by Edmonton in 2013.
The two-year deal means Nurse will be an unrestricted free agent when this new contract runs out, setting him up to cash in again either with the Oilers or elsewhere.
Update: according to Sportsnet, the deal has now neen signed. Its a two-year contract extension with an annual average value of $5.6 million
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