Edmonton Oilers: Darnell Nurse Out Long-Term with Lower-Body Injury
While all seemed well for the Edmonton Oilers defensive corps, things just got a bit more complicated. Darnell Nurse is injured and out “long-term,” and this is far from a good situation for Edmonton.
Word first came of Nurse’s injury following Edmonton’s 6-3 win over Winnipeg Thursday. Though it’s not clear when the 21-year-old blueliner was injured in the game, Mark Spector clarified it was a foot injury.
Todd McLellan announced that Nurse’s injury was a long-term, lower-body injury, and the Oilers placed Nurse on the IR Saturday. The Oilers will have Mark Fayne draw into the lineup for an injured Nurse. By the same token, their defensive corps drastically change.
Nurse’s Absence Leaves Void
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Nurse is one of Edmonton’s top defenders, and had great chemistry with Matthew Benning on the bottom pairing. The 6-foot-4, 213-pound blueliner also provides physicality and aggression for the Oilers. He throws over eight hits per 60 on average, and blocks plenty of shots, too.
With Nurse out of the line-up, Fayne is going to get the chance to prove his worth. He was put on waivers the other day, and soon called up due to a long-term injury to Eric Gryba.
According to Fayne’s agent, he had a hard-working off-season and will have to show he is ready to draw into the NHL lineup.
Fayne will be required to add physicality and shot-blocking ability to the lineup, and will also need to avoid turnovers and giveaways.
In the meantime, the Oilers also recalled Dillon Simpson from Bakersfield as a back-up option if Fayne doesn’t work out.
This is not good for the Oilers, but hopefully, Fayne will be able to step up and the Oilers will make do.
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