In today’s NHL rumors rundown, Darnell Nurse is expected to have a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. Meanwhile, Gabriel Landeskog has finished his AHL conditioning stint and is ready to rejoin the Colorado Avalanche. Finally, Logan Couture is being forced to hang up his skates, which he’ll talk about during a press conference with San Jose media on Tuesday. Nurse to Have Hearing with NHL DoPS The NHL DoPS has revealed that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse will have a hearing for his cross-check to Quinton Byfield in Monday’s game between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. In a feisty affair filled with penalties, Nurse was issued a major penalty and a game misconduct. Nurse first got Byfield in a headlock, and the two went down to the ice. While down, he hit Byfield in the back of the helmet with an additional crosscheck, which got him tossed from the game. It is not expected that the discipline will be serious, but it could potentially result in a single-game suspension that would rule Nurse out for the final game of the season. The game got ugly at points, setting up a huge series in Round 1. “They just have their B-squad in trying to hurt us,” Phillip Danault said when asked about the nastiness in the game. Oilers veteran Corey Perry responded… “Well, what the fuc- what do you want us to do?” and asked if he had not seen what happened to the Oilers roster this past week with all the injuries to key players. Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers) In other Oilers news, Evander Kane says he feels good and is just waiting for clearance from the medical staff to return to action. He believes he’ll be ready to play Game 1 in the playoffs against the Kings. “He’s just awaiting medical clearance. “”I played last year on one leg,” Kane said. “How I feel today is much better.” He added, “I’m confident I can help. I’m very close to playing and if you ask me if I’ll be ready for Game 1…” Landeskog to Rejoin Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog has completed his conditioning stint in the AHL and will join the Colorado Avalanche for their 2025 NHL playoff run. While an NHL comeback has not officially been announced, he’ll be at the Avs facilities today, and a statement is expected soon. Landeskog registered 1-1-2 in his two AHL games with the Colorado Eagles. If he does return for the Avs, it will be intriguing to see how they shelter his minutes, if at all. His return will be a huge motivational boost for the team. Logan Couture to Retire from Hockey According to several reports on Monday, San Jose Sharks forward and captain Logan Couture, along with general manager Mike Grier, are scheduled to hold a press conference today to announce Couture’s unofficial retirement from hockey. Unable to continue his playing career due to injury, his official retirement won’t come until his contract is concluded. Couture was diagnosed with osteitis pubis—a condition that causes inflammation in the pelvic area—early in the 2023–24 season. He is expected to say that he won’t be able to play again, but he won’t likely use the word retire so as not to forfeit what’s remaining in an eight-year, $64 million contract he signed with the Sharks in July 2018. He is still owed $13 million in salary over the next two seasons.