Darnell
Nurse
D · SJS · Balanced · Around average
- PAL
- 54
- WAR
- 1.1
- Value
- 28
- PTS
- 24
2025-26№ 62 / 325
Darnell Nurse (San Jose Sharks) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Darnell Nurse
#25D
San Jose Sharks
HEIGHT : 193 cm · WEIGHT : 98 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : February 3, 1995 · Hamilton, Canada
Drafted : 2013 · EDM · round 1, pick #7
Contract : $9,250,000 · 2022-23 → 2029-30 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFANMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | San Jose Sharks | 18 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| 2025-26 | Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 104 |
| 2024-25 | Edmonton Oilers | 76 | 5 | 28 | 33 | 72 |
| 2023-24 | Edmonton Oilers | 81 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 79 |
| 2022-23 | Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 12 | 31 | 43 | 64 |
| 2021-22 | Edmonton Oilers | 71 | 9 | 26 | 35 | 54 |
| 2020-21 | Edmonton Oilers | 56 | 16 | 20 | 36 | 57 |
| 2019-20 | Edmonton Oilers | 71 | 5 | 28 | 33 | 48 |
| 2018-19 | Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 10 | 31 | 41 | 87 |
| 2017-18 | Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 6 | 20 | 26 | 67 |
| 2016-17 | Edmonton Oilers | 44 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 33 |
| 2015-16 | Edmonton Oilers | 69 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 60 |
| 2014-15 | Edmonton Oilers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NHL totals | 816 | 89 | 237 | 326 | 736 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Edmonton Oilers | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | Edmonton Oilers | 22 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 31 |
| 2023-24 | Edmonton Oilers | 25 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
| 2022-23 | Edmonton Oilers | 11 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 21 |
| 2021-22 | Edmonton Oilers | 15 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 26 |
| 2020-21 | Edmonton Oilers | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Edmonton Oilers | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 2016-17 | Edmonton Oilers | 13 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Playoff totals | 100 | 7 | 22 | 29 | 108 | |
Darnell Nurse: our analysis
2025-26 season: 82 GP, 7 G, 17 A, 24 PTS, -12 +/-, 20:58 TOI. WAR 1.1 (62nd of 325) · PAL 54, around average.
In 2025-26, Darnell Nurse, 31, posts a PAL Rating of 54 out of 100 (around average), and his WAR of 1.1 ranks 62nd among 325 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: creation (71, above average), possession (62, above average) and penalty kill (62, above average). On the other hand, power play (6, among the weakest in the league) holds him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+3.2); his biggest cost: penalties (-1.2).
A marked decline: his PAL was 66 in 2024-25, against 54 now; his WAR, though, went from 0.5 to 1.1.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 28 (poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Darnell Nurse's story
Growing up in Hamilton, Darnell Nurse came from a sporty household and by his teens had focused almost exclusively on hockey, developing into a physically assertive blueliner with the Don Mills Flyers. His size and style made him a standout in minor hockey and set the stage for a jump to junior ranks.
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds selected him third overall in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, where he matured into a two-way leader and was eventually named captain. After a 50-point season in junior, Edmonton chose him seventh overall at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He signed an entry-level deal that summer and finished his junior career before getting a taste of professional hockey with the Oklahoma City Barons in the AHL.
Nurse broke into the NHL scene with the Oilers in 2014–15, seeing his first NHL action that October before returning to juniors. He established himself the following seasons, scoring his first NHL goal in October 2015 and logging regular shifts between the NHL and AHL early on. His career has included a three-game suspension in March 2016 after an on-ice altercation and ankle surgery in December 2016 that sidelined him for weeks. Edmonton rewarded his development with successive contract extensions, including an eight-year deal announced in 2021. After 12 seasons with the Oilers, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks on July 1, 2026.
Internationally, Nurse wore provincial and national colours across age groups: bronze at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, participation with Canada’s U18s including a bronze at the World U18s and gold at the Ivan Hlinka tournament, and gold with Canada at the 2015 World Junior Championship where he was named one of Canada’s top three players. He has also been named to multiple senior World Championship rosters, including additions in 2018, 2019 and 2026.
On the ice, Nurse is defined by size, physicality and mobility from the back end; he has provided defensive steadiness while chipping in offensively and has grown into a leadership role, being named an alternate captain with his club early in his tenure in San Jose.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 21:24
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:02
- SH TOI/GP
- 3:40
- Pts/GP
- 0.11
- EV points
- 2
- Hits
- 32
- Blocks
- 33
- Takeaways
- 2
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 43.7 %
- Off. zone starts
- 30.1 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
18between 7 and 28 (80% range)
- Goals
- 6
- Assists
- 12
- Games
- 81
So far: 2 pts in 18 games. The team has played 19 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.25 pts per game (last season: 0.29).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Slight decline
- Points per game: 0.40 in 23-24, 0.29 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 66 → 54
Outlook, age included
↓ DecliningAge 31: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 87 %
80
Very good
- SK
- Skating
- 85
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 70
- Confidence 90 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 82
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 89
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 84
- Confidence 90 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 88
- Confidence 66 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 68
- Confidence 90 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 79
- Confidence 87 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 79
- Confidence 87 %
- DF
- Defense
- 73
- Confidence 85 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 92
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating85
- Top speed (35 %)36.2 · 85
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)3.299 · 88
- Distance /60 (20 %)14 · 69
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.3 · 83
ST — Strength70
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)3.403 · 62
- Body mass (50 %)0.934 · 81
EN — Endurance82
- Ice time per game (45 %)20.8 · 81
- Total ice time (20 %)1,685 · 84
- Shift length (15 %)49.4 · 81
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)19.9 · 84
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.436 · 76
DU — Durability89
- Share of games played (100 %)0.886 · 89
CK — Checking84
- Hits /60 (70 %)4.95 · 84
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)4.337 · 84
- Season volume (10 %)4.927 · 88
FG — Fighting88
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)1.618 · 88
DI — Discipline68
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.06 · 68
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.769 · 67
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.415 · 77
PA — Passing79
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.401 · 78
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.374 · 71
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.141 · 87
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.142 · 50
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.309 · 80
SC — Scoring79
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.264 · 79
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.269 · 82
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.067 · 68
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.149 · 81
- xG per shot (10 %)0.033 · 66
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)12.8 · 86
DF — Defense73
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.016 · 74
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.075 · 68
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.567 · 78
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.147 · 63
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.996 · 75
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)58.4 · 74
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)5.484 · 86
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience92
- Career regular-season games (65 %)94
- Career playoff games (25 %)87
- NHL seasons (10 %)87
OV — Overall80
- DF · Defense (30 %)73
- PA · Passing (22 %)79
- SK · Skating (12 %)85
- SC · Scoring (12 %)79
- EN · Endurance (9 %)82
- ST · Strength (6 %)70
- DI · Discipline (5 %)68
- CK · Checking (4 %)84
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 80 | 85 | 79 | 73 |
| 2024-25 | 81 | 83 | 82 | 71 |
| 2023-24 | 80 | 83 | 87 | 68 |
| 2022-23 | 81 | 84 | 86 | 71 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
1.1
wins above replacement
62 of 325
PAL Rating
54/ 100
Performance · Around average
109 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
28/ 100
Poor return
9.25 M$ · expected PAL 74
ProfileBalancedNeither end dominates
- Offense
- 59
- Defense
- 58
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 52
- Creation
- 71
- Shooting
- 61
- Possession
- 62
- Defense
- 55
- Discipline
- 58
- Power play
- 6
- Penalty kill
- 62
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | EDM | 1.1 | 54 | 28 | 9.25 M$ |
| 2024-25 | EDM | 0.5 | 66 | 31 | 9.25 M$ |
| 2023-24 | EDM | 1.2 | 62 | 31 | 9.25 M$ |
| 2022-23 | EDM | 0.8 | 66 | 34 | 9.25 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
45/ 100
Average
better than 45% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
46/ 100
Average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
43/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 123 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 51
- Shot selection
- 24
- Penalties drawn
- 66
- Puck management
- 73
Defense
- Takeaways
- 37
- Discipline
- 24
- Safe zone exits
- 80
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | EDM | 45 | 46 | 43 |
| 2024-25 | EDM | 74 | 86 | 47 |
| 2023-24 | EDM | 36 | 66 | 20 |
| 2022-23 | EDM | 64 | 78 | 42 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
1.1
wins above replacement
-0.0 to 2.4 — 90% interval
62 of 325 defensemen
+5.9 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +3.2
- EV defense
- +0.6
- Power play
- -0.1
- Penalty kill
- -0.6
- Shooting
- +0.5
- Penalties
- -1.2
- Average → replacement
- +3.5
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | EDM | 82 | 1.1 | -0.0 to 2.4 | 62/325 |
| 2024-25 | EDM | 72 | 0.5 | -0.6 to 1.6 | 95/314 |
| 2023-24 | EDM | 81 | 1.2 | 0.1 to 2.5 | 37/316 |
| 2022-23 | EDM | 82 | 0.8 | -0.4 to 1.8 | 63/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 129.9 km/h15th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 35.8 km/h88th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 1787th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 35.5 %0th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 83.4 km82nd percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.13 km54th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 38.4 %5th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.3 %14th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 47.2 %0th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 2988th percentile | 172nd percentile | 3.5 %30th percentile |
| High danger | 287th percentile | 198th percentile | 50.0 %91st percentile |
| Mid range | 787th percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %50th percentile |
| Long range | 1177th percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
DAL
MIN
LAK
CGY
OTT
VAN
BUF
BOS
MTL
TOR
DET
EDM
STL
FLADarnell Nurse: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Darnell Nurse have in 2026-27?
Darnell Nurse has 1 goal and 2 points (1 assist) in 18 games in 2026-27.
How old is Darnell Nurse?
Darnell Nurse is 31 years old: he was born on February 4, 1995.
How tall is Darnell Nurse, and how much does he weigh?
Darnell Nurse is 6'4" (193 cm) and weighs 216 lb (98 kg).
Where is Darnell Nurse from?
Canada: Darnell Nurse was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
What team does Darnell Nurse play for?
Darnell Nurse plays for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL, at D, wearing number 25.
Is Darnell Nurse injured?
No: Darnell Nurse is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Darnell Nurse?
Darnell Nurse produced 1.1 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 62nd of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 54 out of 100: around average for his position.
How much does Darnell Nurse make?
Darnell Nurse earns $9.3M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 28 out of 100 (poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Darnell Nurse's contract end?
Darnell Nurse's contract runs through the 2029-30 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Darnell Nurse overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 28 out of 100 (poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Darnell Nurse a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 62nd of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Darnell Nurse getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 66 in 2024-25 to 54 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Darnell Nurse played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Darnell Nurse has 1 point (0 goals, 1 assist).
What are Darnell Nurse's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Darnell Nurse has 816 games, 89 goals, 237 assists and 326 points. His best season: 2022-23, with 43 points in 82 games.
Where was Darnell Nurse drafted?
Darnell Nurse was drafted 7th overall (round 1) by Edmonton Oilers in 2013.
Is Darnell Nurse better at home or on the road?
On the road: in 2026-27, he averages 0.00 points per game at home (0 in 8 games) and 0.20 on the road (2 in 10 games).
How does Darnell Nurse perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Darnell Nurse has 100 games and 29 points in his career. His pace (0.29 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (0.40).
Which player is most similar to Darnell Nurse?
Owen Power: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Owen Power's page →Is Darnell Nurse a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 18 points in 2026-27, or 0.22 points per game.
Does Darnell Nurse have siblings?
Yes: his sister Kia Nurse (plays for the Toronto Tempo (WNBA), won two NCAA championships with the Connecticut Huskies, and is a member of the Canada women's national basketball team).
Is Darnell Nurse related to anyone famous?
Yes: Richard Nurse (father, wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger‑Cats of the CFL); Cathy Nurse (mother, university basketball player for the McMaster Marauders); Sarah Nurse (cousin, won Olympic gold in 2022 and Olympic silver in 2018 and 2026, and is a forward for the Vancouver Goldeneyes of the PWHL); Donovan McNabb (uncle, NFL quarterback who played in six Pro Bowls and had his number retired by the Philadelphia Eagles); Isaac (Nurse) (cousin, professional ice hockey player for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL).
What is Darnell Nurse's nationality?
Darnell Nurse is Canadian. Internationally: Represented Canada in international tournaments: bronze at the World U‑17 Hockey Challenge (2012, with Team Ontario, named to the Tournament All‑Star Team), bronze at the U18 World Championship (2012), gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (2012, U18), gold at the World Junior Championship (2015, named one of Canada's top three players and player of the match in the gold medal game), named to senior World Championship rosters (2018, 2019 — silver in 2019, and added to the 2026 roster).
What awards has Darnell Nurse won?
Bobby Smith Trophy — OHL Scholastic Player of the Year (2012–13 season) ; Named to the Tournament All‑Star Team at the World U‑17 Hockey Challenge (2012) ; Named one of Canada's top three players at the World Junior Championship (2015) and player of the match in the gold medal game.
How many championships has Darnell Nurse won?
5: Bronze, World U‑17 Hockey Challenge with Team Ontario (2012); Bronze, U18 World Championship with Canada (2012); Gold, Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament with Canada U18 (2012); Gold, World Junior Championship with Canada (2015); Silver, IIHF World Championship with Canada (2019).
Where did Darnell Nurse play before turning pro?
Junior and minor teams before turning pro: Don Mills Flyers (minor hockey, by age 15), selected 3rd overall by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) in 2011; named captain of the Greyhounds for the 2013–14 season and scored 50 points in 64 games that season..
How many points is Darnell Nurse projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 18 points in 81 games in 2026-27 (7 to 28 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his San Jose Sharks teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)