Nurse was suspended for three games for instigating a fight with Roman Polak and absolutely pummelling Polak, who appeared unwilling to fight. Polak suffered a broken nose during the tilt, which likely didn’t help Nurse’s case.
Nurse has registered one assist in six games with Bakersfield this season and has been recalled after the Oilers placed Griffin Reinhart (undisclosed) on IR. Nurse could make his season debut on Tuesday vs. the Wild.
Nurse, 20, had a nice preseason and some thought that he would at least get another preseason game, but he has been sent to the minors where he will wait for his next shot. The AHL has developed Anton Lander and Oscar Klefbom into great players, so the Oilers appear to be content to be patient with the former seventh overall pick. There’s a very strong chance Nurse gets recalled at some point during the season.
Nurse had no points with a minus-2 rating and two shots in his first two NHL games. The 19-year-old will get one more year of junior and have a chance to stick with the Oilers full-time next season. He had 13 goals with 37 assists (50 points) in 64 games with Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) last season.
Nurse, 19, was the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. He will replace Jeff Petry in the Oilers lineup tonight and likely skate with Andrew Ference. He had 13 goals and 37 assists (50 points) in 64 games in the OHL last season.
