With the NHL Trade Deadline closing in fast, the Edmonton Oilers appear to be zeroing in on an upgrade for the right side of their blue line. According to Eklund and Elliotte Friedman, talks are currently "intensifying" between Edmonton and the Chicago Blackhawks regarding veteran defenseman Connor Murphy.
While not a finalized deal yet, the smoke is certainly billowing. Here is a breakdown of why this potential move makes sense for both sides if they can cross the finish line.
The Rumor
To Edmonton:
Connor Murphy
To Chicago:
2nd round pick
Sounds like Connor Murphy is heading to Edmonton.
— Eklund's NHL Trade, Free Agent Rumors (@Eklund) March 2, 2026
Hearing Connor Murphy moves to Edmonton for a second round pick, with half of his $4.4 M cap hit being retained by the Blackhawks.
— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec) March 2, 2026
Analysis: Edmonton
The Oilers are in "win-now" mode and have been actively scouring the market for a reliable, stay-at-home defenseman to balance out their offensive firepower. Murphy fits that description perfectly. As a heavy, 6-foot-4 right-shot defender, he excels on the penalty kill, blocks shots at a high rate, and plays the exact brand of hard-nosed, playoff-style hockey Edmonton needs for a deep run. Adding him would significantly stabilize their bottom-four and take pressure off their top pairing.
Analysis: Chicago
For the Blackhawks, moving Murphy is simply the next step in their ongoing rebuild. Murphy is a highly respected leader in their locker room, but clearing his contract off the books allows Chicago to continue stockpiling draft capital and future assets. If the Oilers are desperate enough to solidify their defense, Chicago is in a strong position to extract a premium pick or a solid prospect in return.
Cap Implications
Connor Murphy: $4.4M AAV
The Hurdle: Edmonton is tight against the cap, meaning Chicago would almost certainly need to retain up to 50% of Murphy’s salary, or the Oilers would have to send a roster player back the other way to make the money work.