Blackhawks trade defenseman Connor Murphy to Oilers

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Mar 3, 2026 - 03:25

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Blackhawks trade defenseman Connor Murphy to Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers defense has been downright despicable in two of the last three games. The franchise has been giving up odd-man rushes on a regular basis leaving goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram with minimal opportunity to save pucks.

On Monday, Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman tried to solve the problem by acquiring defenseman Connor Murphy of Boston, Massachusetts from the Chicago Blackhawks for a second round pick in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft.

Third NHL Franchise

The Oilers are Murphy’s third National Hockey League franchise. He first played for the Phoenix Coyotes/Arizona Coyotes for four seasons from 2013 to 2017. Murphy then played nine seasons with the Blackhawks from 2017 to 2026.

Murphy in 2025-26

Dec 12, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks defensemen Connor Murphy (5) waits for play to start against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

In 60 games, Murphy has four goals and nine assists for 13 points. He is a -3 with 46 penalty minutes, one shorthanded point, 55 shots on goal, 87 blocked shots, 62 hits, 13 takeaways and 50 giveaways.

The shorthanded point came on Sunday in a 4-0 Blackhawks win over the Utah Mammoth. Murphy had the secondary assist on a goal by Teuvo Teravainen of Helsinki, Finland at 1:25 of the third period to close out the scoring.

Respectable plus/minus

Most times when a player is in the minuses when it comes to plus/minus it is simply not very good. However, it is all relative. When you are on a team that has a -31 goals for and against, and you are a -3, it does not look that bad.

Who is the problem on defense?

Dec 16, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Darnell Nurse (25) dives to knock the puck away from Florida Panthers defensemen Aaron Ekblad (5) during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

The answer is Darnell Nurse. The Oilers blueliner has been very inconsistent, and the Oilers fanbase believe he is not living up to his contract where he is making $9.25 million this season.

Murphy is making $4.4 million this season. With the deal, the Blackhawks are paying 50% of the contract.

The Oilers are at 66 points. They are in third place in the Pacific Division and lead the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings by four points for a playoff spot.