Connor Murphy is quickly getting comfortable on the Edmonton Oilers’ defense, and this trade already seems to help their defense as they aim for the playoffs.
Edmonton made this trade for reliability, and it’s clear shift by shift. The former player from the Blackhawks has blended into the lineup as if he’s been part of the team all season.
On Monday, the Oilers brought in Murphy from Chicago in exchange for a second-round pick in 2028. The Blackhawks also agreed to cover half of his $4.4 million salary cap, which is helpful for an Edmonton team that is close to the spending limit.
So far, the outcome is straightforward; he plays a lot of minutes and helps reduce the chaos on the ice. That is exactly what Edmonton has been searching for all year.
In his most recent game, Murphy played for 22 minutes and 33 seconds, which was the second-highest amount of time on the team, and he performed “very well defensively,” according to seanpangs.
The highlights show his skills, including looking around, blocking sticks, and making clean plays while under pressure. These actions might not contribute to scoring, but they can change the outcome of a game.
Murphy came to Edmonton with 4 goals and 9 assists in 60 games, and the team didn’t require him to lead the power play. They needed him to stop plays before they turned into chaos.
The focus on penalty killing is also important. Murphy has spent over 117 minutes playing short-handed this season, and Edmonton’s penalty kill is one of the weakest in the league.
Connor Murphy provides the Edmonton Oilers with some space to breathe.
Fans of the Oilers are tired of watching a style of play that depends on scoring to solve problems, so seeing a new defenseman take away threats is a bit of a relief.
Connor Murphy played the second-most minutes on the Oilers tonight (22:33) and was rock solid defensively.
Here were some of his best defensive plays: pic.twitter.com/0odA8X4SsD
— seanpangs (@seanpangs) March 9, 2026
Edmonton currently has a record of 30 wins, 25 losses, and 8 overtime losses, and each point feels like a tough battle right now. You can sense how desperately they need solid defense behind their star players.
Tactically, Murphy supports the team by facing tough opponents, allowing the other defensemen to fit into their roles better. Having better pairings leads to less rushing to clear the puck and more stable shifts.
The salary situation suggests that this was a smart decision, not just a flashy one. Keeping some salary space allows Edmonton to maintain a flexible lineup instead of making difficult trades.
If Murphy continues to play over 22 minutes without giving up many chances, the Oilers can head into the next game feeling confident that their defense is a strong asset, not just something to hope for.
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