BB06
Registered User
- Jun 1, 2020
- 2,973
- 4,321
Is Darnell Nurse a #1D?
- Thread starter Llamamoto
- Start date
MessierII
Registered User
- Aug 10, 2011
- 27,739
- 16,363
Why though? Neither have had a season as good as his this year. Nurse brings a rare mix of size, skating, physicality and skill. Very tough for any coach to pass up.
CantHaveTkachev
Legends
absolutely he is
-plays monster minutes in all situations
-brings offense to the table
-excellent skater
-mean streak to boot (a nice bonus)
-plays monster minutes in all situations
-brings offense to the table
-excellent skater
-mean streak to boot (a nice bonus)
CantHaveTkachev
Legends
Ainec
Panetta was not racist
- Jun 20, 2009
- 21,784
- 6,429
OgeeOgelthorpe
Baldina
- Feb 29, 2020
- 17,162
- 18,251
Nurse has turned into a legit top pairing defenseman over the last 3 years. I don't think he's a top 10 or top 15 guy but a lower end number one defenseman for sure. Somewhere in the 16-31 range.
Voight
#winning
Its not solely based on this year, especially when this year was a bit of a anomaly season. Not saying Nurse wont make it, but theres a lot of competition for the team and plenty to pick from.
biturbo19
Registered User
- Jul 13, 2010
- 25,613
- 10,593
I find it pretty hard to ignore the role of deployment and linemates in this. He played what, less than 300 of his well over 1000 5v5 minutes without McDavid and/or Draisaitl on the ice? And in those minutes without those two, his numbers take a massive nosedive. Part of that, is just the Oilers depth being so lacking, and there's inevitably going to be drop-off there. But it's still a major factor i'm not willing to overlook. Not when it pretty much squares with my impressions in just watching a million Oilers games (this year, especially). And especially when we're looking at a one kind of wonky, and shortened season sample of Nurse appearing to "break out" in that role.
So no. I wouldn't say he's a true #1D. In the same sense that i absolutely would not have called Christian Ehrhoff a real #1D at his peak, playing those "top volume minutes" on a Cup Contender posting serious points and robust possession numbers - while stapled to the Sedins up front, and the corresponding type of minutes and deployment.
Doesn't mean he's not a great fit for that particular role with the Oilers, and one that they're going to continue to benefit from for a long time to come. Those types of defenceman can be an "engine" of a team on the back end. I'm just not really ready to call that a true #1 Defenceman. Not with reservations from watching him, about how he'd fare outside of that situation, and how much flattery is involved there. For me, a true #1D comes pretty much without qualifications.
So no. I wouldn't say he's a true #1D. In the same sense that i absolutely would not have called Christian Ehrhoff a real #1D at his peak, playing those "top volume minutes" on a Cup Contender posting serious points and robust possession numbers - while stapled to the Sedins up front, and the corresponding type of minutes and deployment.
Doesn't mean he's not a great fit for that particular role with the Oilers, and one that they're going to continue to benefit from for a long time to come. Those types of defenceman can be an "engine" of a team on the back end. I'm just not really ready to call that a true #1 Defenceman. Not with reservations from watching him, about how he'd fare outside of that situation, and how much flattery is involved there. For me, a true #1D comes pretty much without qualifications.
I agree about Morrissey, but his rep seems to be putting him in that conversation. I would certainly take Nurse over him.
snipes
How cold? I’m ice cold.
- Dec 28, 2015
- 55,042
- 61,834
Lol
Nurse was the Oilers best player that series.
He had really good underlying numbers are well that series if I recall after looking at Natural Stat Trick following the games, his analytics were really strong.
Not to mention he logged huge minutes, including over 15 out of 20 minutes in one of the OTs. Absolutely unheard of TOI for a single period of play.
There’s plenty of blame to go around for that Oilers loss, but Nurse most definitely is not one that deserves blame for that. He was pretty viewed by HFOil as our consensus best player that series. Even Jets fans were commenting how well he played.
BB06
Registered User
- Jun 1, 2020
- 2,973
- 4,321
Bump. Can't believe how many people got fooled by a Covid season where he shot at an absurd rate.
WingsMJN2965
Registered User
- Oct 13, 2017
- 18,106
- 17,699
He's on the fringe of it...
... But whoever told Ken Holland he was in the same stratosphere as Werenski, McAvoy, etc... Lol.
... But whoever told Ken Holland he was in the same stratosphere as Werenski, McAvoy, etc... Lol.
Well you were wrong...he would have been Canada's 1LD and a lock for the team
Llamamoto
Nice Bison. Kind Bison. Yep.
- Sep 5, 2018
- 8,855
- 12,207
His goal totals have gone down but he's had a fine season playing insane minutes. He's not even close to the issue with our D.
The Moose is Loose
Registered User
You’re quoting an old post and you know that
Toews has taken a step forward this year
Jimmy Firecracker
Fire Sheldon.
This isn't how it works at all. Just because every team has to have someone playing in the 1D/C/G spot does not mean that the person currently occupying that spot is worthy of the position or the minutes they get.
EdmFlyersfan
Registered User
Mandalorian
Screw the tank, just WIN BABY!
Hency why he said lower end 1d. You are confusing elite/norris worthy defenseman with #1 defenseman.
If a defenseman can play the #1 role on a NHL team without being completely out of place/a total liability and actually be tied a 15th in points since 2020-2021, he is worthy of being considered a low end #1D. Even if his contract is bad.
Bounces R Way
Registered User
Not on any self respecting Stanley Cup Contender he isn't. And if that isn't the measure then why bother.
SwedishFire
Registered User
- Mar 3, 2011
- 5,332
- 1,863
He is. Great skating, great athlete, great compete, though. But he is darn expensive.
Hes a keeper
Hes a keeper
Paul4587
Registered User
- Jan 26, 2006
- 31,163
- 13,179
He’s a 3-4 D who has the gift of getting to play with McDavid and Draisaitl which has got him paid.
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