Connor Murphy

Edmonton eyes Connor Murphy as the shutdown defender they've craved to pair with their high-flying forwards. Scouts rave about his size, mobility, and penalty-kill prowess that could steady a blue line prone to late-game meltdowns. With playoff pressure mounting in the Pacific, GM Ken Holland weighs if Murphy's veteran presence tips the scales toward another deep run.

The Blackhawks just flipped the script at the trade deadline, shipping out vets like Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, and captain Nick Foligno for picks and pieces like Andrew Mangiapane. GM Kyle Davidson retains salary on some deals to sweeten the pot, signaling another sell-off year in the rebuild. Coach Jeff Blashill now picks a new captain while eyeing a fresh lineup with young guns getting more ice. Front offices whisper this week's games test if Chicago's tanking or turning a corner.

The Blackhawks just shipped out Jason Dickinson, Connor Murphy, and Colton Dach in back-to-back deals to Edmonton, hauling in picks and Andrew Mangiapane while the trade deadline clock ticks down. Players admit the room feels the sting as these guys were the heart of the group, but GM Kyle Davidson preaches moving forward with the kids taking over. Names like Nick Foligno and Ilya Mikheyev still hang in the balance, and that Vancouver game on deadline day tests everyone's focus amid the chaos.

The Oilers kick tires on Brayden Schenn to beef up that bottom six, but his $6.5 million cap hit throws a wrench in Edmonton's tight space, forcing talks of salary retention from St. Louis. GM Stan Bowman already raided Chicago for Murphy, Dickinson and Dach, yet whispers from insiders like Pierre LeBrun suggest this blockbuster target slips away as deadline bells toll tomorrow.

Mike Kelly breaks down the frenzy with just one day left until the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline hits at 3 p.m. ET Friday. GMs scramble as contenders like the Oilers stock up on depth with Dickinson, Dach and Murphy while the Stars snag Bunting's grit for a third-rounder. Front offices whisper about who's next on the block, and these moves signal who's all-in for the Cup run with playoffs looming.

Edmonton swings early at the deadline, prying veteran right-shot defenseman Connor Murphy from Chicago for a 2028 second-rounder with half his salary retained. The 32-year-old Bostonian brings 805 games of grit, leading Hawks D in blocks and penalty-kill minutes this year, and McDavid already calls him a nightmare to play against. Oilers GM Stan Bowman targeted this exact profile to shore up a blue line that's leaked goals post-Olympic break, and Murphy eyes his debut Friday against Carolina.