Whenever a player – especially a big-name player – becomes available via trade or free agency, fans around the league naturally start to wonder if their team should be involved.
Dougie Hamilton is the latest to hit the market as he and the New Jersey Devils build toward an inevitable split. While few want to see Edmonton as a landing spot, some in Oilers Nation aren’t opposed to the idea of exploring the acquisition of the former 70-point defenseman.
In reality, one fan was floating a bold one-for-one swap of Hamilton and Darnell Nurse, two polarizing big-ticket blue liners.
“Dougie Hamilton for Darnell Nurse straight. Both get a change of scenery, let’s ride the hell on OilersNation.”
The 32-year-old Hamilton is in the fifth season of the seven-year, $63 million contract he signed to join the Devils as a UFA in 2021. He has struggled mightily in 2025-26, recording just 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 40 games with New Jersey.
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old Nurse is in the fourth year of the eight-year, $74 million extension he signed with the Oilers in 2021. He’s also had his share of ups and downs this season, having scored 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 45 games played.
The Oilers might be better off as they are
While the idea of trading Nurse for Hamilton is intriguing at first glance, Edmonton may be better off holding on to what it has.
Hamilton is known for his offensive prowess, something the Oilers already possess plenty of on the back end with Evan Bouchard, along with contributions from Jake Walman, Mattias Ekholm and even Nurse himself, so adding another offensive-minded defenseman shouldn’t be a priority.
Despite being under constant scrutiny for his contract and inconsistencies, Nurse brings a more physical, defensive style of play that the Oilers need to make another deep playoff run. He’s not a perfect player by any means, but he’s also not as bad as many make him out to be.
If anything, General Manager Stan Bowman should focus on upgrading the defensive corps around him, with several right defensemen available who would come at a lower cost and better fit what Edmonton actually needs.
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