Blackhawks trade reliable defenseman Connor Murphy to Oilers for second-round draft pick The Chicago Blackhawks have sent defenseman Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers in a trade that includes a 2028 second-round draft pick and a partial retention of Murphy’s salary. The deal was finalized on Monday, with the Blackhawks retaining half of Murphy’s $4.4 million cap hit. Murphy, a 32-year-old pending unrestricted free agent, has been a key contributor for Chicago over the past three seasons, recording 433 shots blocked in 194 games. This season, he has added four goals and 13 points in 60 contests. Murphy’s departure marks the end of a nine-year stint with the Blackhawks, during which he became a staple of the team’s defense. Known for his physicality and shot-blocking ability, he was a critical component of Chicago’s league-leading penalty kill. His trade comes as the Blackhawks seek to open up a lineup spot for younger defensemen, with players like Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Louis Crevier expected to fill the right-side role moving forward. The team also aims to bolster its depth by adding another second-round draft pick to its collection, which now includes two picks in 2026, two in 2027, and two in 2028. The Oilers, who have struggled with their penalty kill this season, see Murphy as an immediate upgrade. Edmonton’s penalty kill ranks 26th in the league, while Murphy was a cornerstone of Chicago’s top-ranked unit. His physical presence and ability to disrupt opponents’ power plays make him a valuable addition to the Oilers’ blue line, where he is likely to pair with Darnell Nurse on the second pairing. The trade also aligns with Oilers general manager Stan Bowman’s history of reacquiring players he previously dealt, including Niklas Hjalmarsson, whom he sent to Arizona in 2017.#connor_murphy #chicago_blackhawks #edmonton_oilers #stan_bowman #alex_vlasic
