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The Edmonton Oilers are strengthening their defensive lineup in anticipation of Friday’s 3 p.m. ET NHL trade deadline, aiming for an extended playoff push.
On Monday, the two-time consecutive Western Conference champions secured reliable defenceman Connor Murphy from Chicago in exchange for a 2028 second-round selection. As part of this transaction, Chicago will cover fifty percent of Murphy’s $4.4 million US salary.
This season, the Oilers are positioned 26th among the league’s 32 clubs for goals conceded, with some recent defeats following the Olympic break attributable to subpar defensive performances. They sustained losses of 6-5 against Anaheim on Wednesday and 5-4 against San Jose on Saturday; these defeats by Pacific Division adversaries have jeopardized Edmonton’s vulnerable position in the league standings.
Murphy, whose 33rd birthday is March 26, is a steadfast defensive player expected to take a spot on the third defensive pairing. Across 60 appearances for Chicago this season, he has logged an average of 16.5 minutes per game; this marks his 13th year in the league overall and his 12th complete season since his initial appearance in 2013.
He tops the Chicago roster with 87 puck deflections.
Stan Bowman, the general manager for the Oilers, shares a significant past connection with Murphy. Bowman served as Chicago’s GM when Murphy was obtained from Arizona in 2017, and it was Bowman who additionally finalized Murphy’s existing four-year, $17.6-million agreement, which concludes on June 30.
Edmonton has recently experienced back-to-back losses in the Stanley Cup final against Florida, and a notable factor in both eliminations was their inability to prevent goals.
In December, Bowman executed a goalie exchange with Pittsburgh, transferring Stuart Skinner to the Penguins in return for Tristan Jarry, a move that was part of a four-player transaction including a 2029 second-round draft pick.
Jarry’s save percentage of .864 while playing for the Oilers positions him 44th among 49 goaltenders who have participated in a minimum of 10 matches since the December 12 transfer, a deal that also saw Brett Kulak depart for Pittsburgh.
On that identical day, the Oilers obtained Spencer Stastney, and the acquisition of Murphy represents the most recent action in constructing a more robust defensive unit.
Edmonton was not the sole Western contender making additions on Monday. The Minnesota Wild picked up forward Robby Fabbri through waivers from St. Louis, and it’s highly probable they have further moves planned.
“We have capacity to undertake several actions,” stated GM Bill Guerin on Sunday, specifically highlighting the center role and faceoff performance as aspects he wishes to improve. “Should an opportunity arise to enhance the squad, I will seize it. It merely needs to be logical. Whatever the demand, whatever sum we deem appropriate for what we are acquiring, we will proceed.”
