The Edmonton Oilers have traded for defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of the NHL trade deadline. In exchange, the Blackhawks receive a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, with Chicago retaining half of Murphy's $4.4 million salary cap hit. This move aims to bolster Edmonton's defensive depth as they push for another playoff run.
The Edmonton Oilers strengthened their blue line on March 2, 2026, by acquiring veteran right-shot defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks. The deal sends a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft to Chicago, which will retain 50 percent of Murphy's $4.4 million average annual value, leaving Edmonton responsible for $2.2 million.
Murphy, who turns 33 on March 26, has recorded 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 60 games this season with the Blackhawks. He leads the team with 87 blocked shots and ranks second in short-handed ice time per game at 2:57. Selected 20th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2011 NHL Draft, Murphy has played 805 regular-season games across his career with Arizona and Chicago, amassing 173 points (47 goals, 126 assists). He joined the Blackhawks in a 2017 trade and has served as an alternate captain for six seasons.
Oilers general manager Stan Bowman, who was with Chicago when they acquired Murphy and signed his current four-year contract in 2021, emphasized the need for a right-shot defenseman. "We have more lefts than rights, so in a simplistic way, yes," Bowman said ahead of the March 6 deadline. "We're always looking to add... We're looking to try to win right now."
Edmonton, third in the Pacific Division with a 29-24-8 record, has struggled defensively, ranking 26th in goals against. Recent losses to Anaheim (6-5) and San Jose (5-4) highlighted vulnerabilities after the Olympic break. To accommodate Murphy, the Oilers placed forward Mattias Janmark on long-term injured reserve, waived forwards Andrew Mangiapane and defenseman Alec Regula (who were assigned to AHL Bakersfield), and loaned forward Isaac Howard to the Condors.
For the Blackhawks (23-28-9), the trade adds to their draft capital, now totaling 12 picks in the first two rounds over the next three drafts. Murphy's departure leaves Chicago focusing on youth development amid a rebuilding phase.