Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman will trade veteran defenceman Darnell Nurse in the coming days. Bowman’s roster is deep in the areas Nurse fulfills on the team, meaning opportunity will be knocking for several players. Bowman is likely to deal Nurse for help in areas of need, so the left side of the defence is unlikely to receive a feature player. It’s possible Nurse is dealt for a forward, or a defenceman who can play the right side.Which Oilers defenders stand to take on more of the load after a Nurse trade? Here’s a look.Jake WalmanThe Oilers traded for Jake Walman in March 2025, surrendering a 2026 first-round selection. A seven-year contract ($7 million AAV) followed in October 2025, which takes Walman to 37 and summer 2033 free agency. Edmonton’s depth chart has Mattias Ekholm at the top among left-handed defencemen, and Walman should slide in on the second pair with Nurse’s exit.Based on Bowman’s acquisition and signing of Walman, a Nurse trade virtually guarantees he will move up to the second pair of Nurse exits. The cap hit alone suggests Walman should be on the second pairing. However, there are concerns.Last season, versus elite competition, via PuckIQ, Ekholm led lefties (6:26 per game, 55 percent Dangerous Fenwick), followed by Nurse (5:56 per game, 48 percent Dangerous Fenwick) and Walman (5:16, 40 percent Dangerous Fenwick). Walman had injury issues during the season and had multiple defensive mates (including Nurse and Ty Emberson), but will need to improve his performance against elite competition in order to keep the feature role.One way Edmonton’s new coach could increase the chances of success is by pairing Walman with Evan Bouchard. Both count puck-moving among their strengths, and together (over two seasons) own a 56 percent five-on-five goal share in 181 minutes.Connor MurphyConnor Murphy is a key re-signing target for Bowman this offseason. The veteran’s calm feet elevated the second pairing down the stretch after he came over from the Chicago Blackhawks. The Oilers will be aggressive in getting his name on a contract, possibly before he hits free agency on July 1. In trading Nurse, Bowman will increase the importance of bringing back Murphy to play on the second pairing. It could impact the length and cost of the contract.