Oilers Need to Pursue Blackhawks’ Connor Murphy

Murphy is also a top-notch shot blocker and isn’t afraid to lay the body. He averages well over 100 blocked shots per season and is among the Blackhawks’ biggest hitters. These are all important stat categories to look at when looking for a big body defender for the playoffs.

The veteran blueliner has little postseason experience, as mentioned; however, he has been there once before, a few years ago. He put up four points in nine games in the 2020 Playoffs and was eating big minutes. This may have been a while ago now, but that doesn’t mean Murphy can’t still play in the playoffs. He may even be more poised and improved with a few more years on him.

Murphy is someone you can rely on for strong defence, and he can eat up decent third-pairing minutes. He also spends time penalty killing for Chicago, a department the Oilers could use an upgrade in for the home stretch. Coming to Edmonton would allow him to do much of the same that he’s done, and maybe even more if he impresses early. The stats say he would, and another number says he’d fit right in the roster.

Oilers Can Do It Cap-Wise

Cap space is usually an issue for the Oilers when they’re making a move. A move for Murphy would likely not be a problem, however, as long as they send the right pieces in exchange for him. He is in the final year of his contract, worth $4.4 million per season. Chicago should have cap space after the season if they want to bring him back in free agency, so they could be willing to move him, knowing that he’s probably a rental.

Murphy has been a core piece of their team since he arrived, so it would take a little extra for Edmonton to get him. That’s usually the case with many deadline acquisitions, though.

There are obviously limits to what management should pay for a depth defenceman at the deadline, but general manager Stan Bowman and his team should be willing to cough up what’s needed. If they think Murphy (or someone of the like) is their guy, they have to spend their draft capital and potentially move on from depth players in the organization in order to win now.

Oilers Should Make Trade Earlier Than Usual

The 2025-26 season is a more uniquely structured one. Due to the Olympic break taking away a few weeks of play in February, the trade deadline will come at teams fast when play resumes late in the month. This is why, if Edmonton were to pursue a trade such as this or any big trade for that matter, getting it done before the break would potentially be beneficial for them later on.

Getting a deal done before the break would allow their new player to get acclimated in a new city with a different team for longer than they usually would, and they wouldn’t have to do it while playing. Someone like Murphy, who is not participating in the Olympics (as of now), would be able to get settled in for an extended period of time and even meet some of his new teammates.

It would be great to see the Oilers continue to be active in the trade market and put together another squad that can finish the job.