Oilers Acquire Defenceman Connor Murphy from Blackhawks The Edmonton Oilers have bolstered their defensive corps ahead of the NHL trade deadline, securing the services of veteran defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks in a deal finalized just 93 hours before the deadline. The trade, which involves a 2028 second-round draft pick, sees Murphy join the Oilers after spending the past seven seasons with the Blackhawks. Chicago retains half of Murphy’s $4.4 million salary, reflecting the team’s commitment to maintaining financial flexibility as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season. Murphy, 33, is expected to contribute immediately as a reliable third-pair defender for Edmonton. His ability to log 16 1/2 minutes of ice time per game this season, along with his career-high 87 blocked shots for Chicago, positions him as a key asset for a team struggling to limit goals. The Oilers, ranked 26th in the league in goals against, have faced mounting pressure in recent weeks, suffering two consecutive losses to Pacific Division rivals Anaheim and San Jose. These setbacks, attributed to defensive lapses, have threatened Edmonton’s playoff positioning and underscored the urgency of strengthening their blue line. The acquisition of Murphy marks another step in a broader effort to rebuild the Oilers’ defense, a priority for general manager Stan Bowman. Bowman, who previously oversaw Murphy’s acquisition from Arizona in 2017 and later negotiated his $17.6 million, four-year contract, has been actively reshaping the roster. His recent moves include a high-profile goaltending swap with Pittsburgh, where he sent Stuart Skinner to the Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry and a 2029 second-round pick. Jarry’s struggles with the Oilers, including a .#bill_guerin #connor_murphy #chicago_blackhawks #edmonton_oilers #stan_bowman
Blackhawks Trade Connor Murphy to Oilers, Ending Nine-Year Stint Connor Murphy’s nine-year tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks came to an end on Monday as he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, marking a significant move for both teams. The deal, finalized just days before the NHL trade deadline, saw Murphy, a pending free agent, sent to Edmonton in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2028. The Blackhawks also retained half of Murphy’s $4.4 million salary-cap hit, leaving them with one remaining retention slot for the season. The trade was orchestrated by former Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, now Oilers GM, who has a history of reacquiring players he once dealt. Bowman acquired Murphy in 2015 from the Arizona Coyotes in a swap involving Niklas Hjalmarsson, and this move aligns with his pattern of bringing back former players. For the Blackhawks, the return of a second-round pick was seen as the best realistic outcome given Murphy’s status as a free agent. Murphy, 33, had long felt the pressure of missing the playoffs, having only participated in the 2020 Stanley Cup bubble. With the Oilers’ playoff hopes still alive, he now has a better chance to compete in the postseason. Edmonton, the back-to-back Western Conference champions, needed a right-handed defenseman to bolster their defense, which has been a weakness this season. Murphy will likely slide below Evan Bouchard on the depth chart but could strengthen their blue line alongside Darnell Nurse, Mattias Ekholm, and Jake Walman. For the Blackhawks, Murphy’s departure opens up roster spots for young players like Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel, allowing them to stay in the lineup as the season progresses. The team also faces the return of Wyatt Kaiser from a knee injury, which could further ease the pressure on the defense.#connor_murphy #chicago_blackhawks #nhl #edmonton_oilers #stan_bowman
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
