Nurse Braces for Emotional First Game Against Former Oilers Team
Darnell Nurse said facing Edmonton for the first time since his offseason trade to San Jose will feel strange. He planned to have dinner with former Oilers teammates before Saturday's game, then treat the matchup like any other. Nurse scored in overtime Thursday to lift the Sharks past St. Louis, and Edmonton received Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect Zachary Sharp in the July deal.
Nurse spent his entire NHL career with Edmonton before the July 1 swap, appearing in 798 games after being selected seventh overall in 2013. He recorded 324 points there and was part of clubs that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025. San Jose acquired him while sending defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect Zachary Sharp to the Oilers.
The Sharks enter Saturday 3-1-0, while Edmonton is 3-0-1. Nurse has one goal in four games with San Jose, including Thursday’s overtime winner at St. Louis 1:03 into the extra period, assisted by Ivar Stenberg. Macklin Celebrini’s status remains a game-time decision.
For hockey fans, especially in Edmonton and San Jose, this reunion may add emotional interest to a regular-season game. Former teammates and local supporters could feel a mix of nostalgia and adjustment as a longtime player appears in opposing colors. The matchup may also highlight how trades reshape fan loyalties and team identity, though its broader societal effect is likely limited to sports culture and entertainment.