Edmonton acquires Murphy from Chicago amid unusually quiet lead-up to NHL trade deadline

In an unusually quiet lead-up to the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the Edmonton Oilers are trying to address a defensive structure that has struggled during what is expected to be a tight playoff race. The Oilers on Monday traded for Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy, in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick. The 32-year-old right-shot has been among the league’s top shot-blockers in recent seasons with 433 in just 194 games and was expected to have plenty of suitors before Friday’s deadline. The Oilers are now hoping he’ll provide help for their thin defense and penalty kill.