The Cult of Hockey continues its post-season coverage of the Edmonton Oilers, with an ongoing series on management, coaching staff, and players. Today's focus is veteran defenseman Connor Murphy.
Connor Murphy's Arrival in Edmonton
On March 2, 2026, the Edmonton Oilers acquired Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. Chicago also retained 50% of Murphy's salary in the deal. The trade was designed to address immediate needs on the blue line, and Murphy made an immediate impact.
It took him some time to settle in with his eventual regular partner, Darnell Nurse, but Murphy improved the Oilers' defensive zone play and penalty kill. The latter was no surprise, as Murphy was part of the league's top penalty-killing unit in Chicago before the trade. His wingspan, stick, rugged physicality, and hockey smarts were obvious assets in shorthanded situations.
Regular Season and Playoff Performance
During the regular season, the Nurse-Murphy tandem played over 289 minutes together at 5-on-5, outshooting opponents 119-96 and outscoring them 8-6. In the playoffs, the pair faced more challenges, but Murphy and Jake Walman were considered the Oilers' best defensemen against the Anaheim Ducks. However, Edmonton's penalty kill struggled in the postseason, and Murphy shares some responsibility for that.
Murphy brings size at 6'4" and 212 pounds, and he uses it effectively. He is willing to throw hits, win battles along the boards, and defend the crease. He has recorded at least 100 hits and 100 blocked shots in twelve consecutive seasons, showcasing consistency.
Offensively, Murphy is not a primary contributor. He posted 1 goal and 3 assists in 20 regular-season games with Edmonton, and 2 goals and 1 assist in 6 playoff games. In his 825-game NHL career, he has 48 goals and 177 points. However, he moves adequately for a big man and delivers a decent first pass.
Should the Oilers Keep, Hold, or Fold?
The verdict is clear: sign Connor Murphy as soon as possible. The Oilers have lacked a big, right-shot defenseman of this description—nasty, defensive-minded, and capable of moving the puck—since Adam Larsson played for the team. The only time the second-pairing role was adequately filled was by Cody Ceci, who is a different player type. Murphy fills a long-standing need.
Since general manager Stan Bowman previously worked with Murphy in Chicago and spent a valuable draft pick to acquire him, retaining Murphy would be sound asset management.
Potential Challenges
Two obstacles stand in the way. First, Murphy was a rental and an expiring unrestricted free agent. The NHL salary cap is expected to rise by $8.9 million, and Murphy is coming off a four-year deal with a $4.4 million cap hit. Given the thin crop of unrestricted free agents, someone may offer him $5 million or more per season on a long-term contract. While that could be an overpay, prices are likely to be higher than forecast this summer.
Second, the Oilers must balance their cap commitments. Retaining Murphy could limit flexibility for other roster moves. Nonetheless, the team's need for a defenseman of his caliber makes re-signing him a priority.
