Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is looking for help in defense, and Stan Bowman is focusing on trading for Connor Murphy before the deadline.
Time is running out in Edmonton with the March 6 trade deadline getting closer.
Even though the team brought in Tristan Jarry earlier this season to solidify their goalkeeping, the situation in net is still very uncertain.
Jarry has had a hard time being consistent while playing goalie.
Rumors from the team’s locker room indicate that Bowman is still searching for another goalie upgrade before the playoffs start.
However, fixing the defense is the top priority right now. The defensive setup has too frequently fallen apart during close games.
Insider Jason Gregor recently mentioned that finding a second-pair right-handed defenseman is their biggest need.
He specifically pointed to Chicago as the most reasonable team to work with for a trade.
Murphy is a tough, defense-focused player who effectively blocks shots and clears the area in front of the net.
He already has a good relationship with Bowman from when they were building a strong team with the Blackhawks.
If the price for Murphy gets too high, there’s another powerful option available.
Luke Schenn from the Winnipeg Jets, who will be a free agent soon, is currently being offered for trade.
Handling a Salary Cap Challenge
Schenn comes with two Stanley Cup championships and strong defensive skills. His experience and hard hits would make him a great addition to Edmonton’s lower defensive pairing.
The main challenge in making these trades is the tough financial situation.
The Oilers have nearly no salary cap space as the deadline is nearing.
Any major addition will need careful planning. Bringing in a player like Murphy would cost a significant $4.4 million against the cap.
Even the more affordable Schenn takes up $2.75 million of the salary cap. Bowman needs to get rid of some salary before he can complete any trade deals.
Currently, almost 30 percent of Edmonton’s salary cap is being used on contracts that aren’t performing well.
The management is busy making calls to find teams willing to trade and help lower costs.
Jason Gregor: I think Edmonton’s #1 need right now is a second pair right shot defenseman; Connor Murphy in Chicago is a definite option, Stan Bowman knows him very well – The Sheet (2/24)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) February 27, 2026
There are talks that Andrew Mangiapane will be the main player let go to help with the salary cap. Getting rid of his contract is really important to make space for a better defender.
Adam Henrique is also likely to return from Long-Term Injured Reserve soon.
This upcoming move makes the financial situation even more complicated and frustrating.
Bowman has a tough job ahead of him in the next week.
This team really needs a tough improvement to make it through the challenging playoffs in the Western Conference.
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