Nurse says he won't attend Oilers camp without contract

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse won't be participating in the club's upcoming training camp without some financial security.

Nurse, the only Oilers player currently without a contract, recently said he's optimistic a deal will get done before camp opens in mid-September, but he confirmed Wednesday he won't be attending if he remains a restricted free agent.

"No, I wouldn't come to camp without a contract, but hopefully we get something done before camp so I can be out there (on the) first day. That's the goal," Nurse told reporters, via Sportsnet.

Nurse is coming off the final year of his entry-level contract and is one of three prominent RFA defenseman across the league in need of a new deal, along with Shea Theodore of the Vegas Golden Knights and Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets.

The Oilers have just under $4 million available in cap space to work out a new pact with Nurse, per Cap Friendly. The 23-year-old is coming off his most productive season at the NHL level, suiting up in all 82 games while registering 26 points and logging over 22 minutes per contest.