The changes to the defense in Edmonton are speeding up as the trade deadline gets closer.
Elliotte Friedman says that the Edmonton Oilers and their coach Kris Knoblauch are in serious discussions with Chicago to get defenseman Connor Murphy.
With the March 6 deadline coming soon, general manager Stan Bowman is looking for someone familiar to help strengthen a defense that has not been very reliable.
Murphy, who is 32 years old and known for his defensive skills, has a salary cap cost of $4.4 million and has been a rumored target for the Oilers for almost two years.
Right now, Edmonton is in 3rd place in the Pacific Division with 66 points, but their average number of goals allowed is a big issue. Murphy has the “strong skills” and ability to kill penalties that Knoblauch needs to support a goaltending duo that is having some problems.
The 6-foot-4 defenseman has done a great job for the Blackhawks, with 84 blocked shots and 58 hits in 58 games this season. His knack for playing a lot of time in the defensive zone would let Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse focus more on moving the puck up and scoring goals.
Chicago is reportedly willing to pay part of Murphy’s salary, which would be a “big help” for the Oilers, who are limited with their budget.
The trade would probably include a mid-round draft pick and a young player going back to Chicago.
Are the Edmonton Oilers ready to spend extra for an experienced player?
This move makes a lot of sense for a team that clearly wants to win now. Murphy has been a dependable, stay-at-home defender throughout his career, which is exactly what Bowman is looking for to fill the gap left by the injured Mattias Janmark’s defense.
Hearing talks are intensifying for Edmonton to acquire Connor Murphy from Chicago.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 2, 2026
With improvements already made to the second scoring line, sorting out the top four defense pairings is the last step needed. Bringing in an experienced right-handed player who can effectively handle penalty kills might be what keeps them from getting knocked out in the first round and helps them go far in the playoffs.
Friedman’s update indicates that talks have progressed beyond just initial discussions. If both parties can agree on how much of Murphy’s salary will be covered, he might wear an Oilers uniform before the game starts on Tuesday’s away trip.
You should expect a decision to be made soon as the deadline approaches. Bowman realizes he can’t go into the deadline without making any moves if he wants to keep up with the Golden Knights in the standings.
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