The brunt of the criticism tends to fall on the Oilers' other players, bypassing superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Darnell Nurse, in particular, has been under intense scrutiny, a fact that is magnified by the terms of his contract.
Nurse had a promising beginning to his career in Edmonton. This led him to secure an impressive 8-year, $74 million deal that ensures him an annual cap hit of $9.25 million. As such, he stands not only among the NHL's top-tier defensemen but its most elite players overall.
Criticism Deserved or Excessive?
After the ink dried on his contract, Nurse accumulated 35 points over 71 games and 43 points in a full season of 82 games. Despite this, he remains a target for criticism.
Nurse has recently spoken out on the Mitts Off podcast. He criticized Oilers fans who seemingly blame him for every misstep, from a goal conceded to Stony Plain traffic. While it's convenient to argue that he's overcompensated for his performance, it's undeniable that the critique can sometimes cross the line.