The reported return haul from Penguins for Darnell Nurse is turning heads in Edmonton
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Daniel Lucente
Jun 19, 2026 (10:53)
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Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
The return piece everyone is focused on tells the wrong story about what Pittsburgh is actually doing this summer.
Darnell Nurse filed his trade request on June 11, handing Oilers GM Stan Bowman a short list of three to five teams he would waive his no-movement clause for.
Pittsburgh quickly emerged as the likely front-runner, with David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period confirming the two clubs have been in active discussions.
Nurse carries a $9.25 million cap hit through 2029-30 and has four years remaining on the deal.
Graves, the return piece now drawing the most scrutiny, played just 22 games last season before clearing waivers.
He carries a $4.5 million AAV through year four of a six-year deal, finished with no points in those 22 appearances, and posted a -3 rating.
Why Pittsburgh wants this more than Edmonton
Kyle Dubas and Nurse share a history from their Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds days in the OHL.
Dubas has consistently shown he trusts players he has evaluated up close.
That trust likely gives him a more optimistic read on Nurse's remaining value than the public numbers currently suggest.
Pittsburgh finished 41-25-16 with 98 points last season, ranking inside the league's top ten.
The Penguins are operating in push-now mode, with Sidney Crosby's career moving into its final chapter and the window to compete narrowing fast.
Nurse's physicality and defensive experience fill a specific gap on Pittsburgh's left side that their internal pipeline has not been able to address.
What Edmonton actually needs from this negotiation
Graves alone does not move the needle for Bowman. The Oilers hold real leverage because Nurse's short destination list puts Pittsburgh in a narrow market.
That creates room to push for draft picks alongside Graves to make this worthwhile. A straight Nurse-for-Graves swap closes this deal quickly, but a smart one takes longer and delivers more.
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