The Edmonton Oilers have added another piece to their defensive core, agreeing to a five‑year, $4.1 million average annual value contract with defenseman Connor Murphy. The extension, announced just one day after the club re‑signed forward Jason Dickinson, locks Murphy into Edmonton through the 2030‑31 season.
MURPH
The #Oilers have signed defenceman Connor Murphy to a five-year contract with an AAV of $4.1 million. pic.twitter.com/7avMhxiYDt
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 22, 2026
Murphy, a 33‑year‑old, joined the Oilers in a late‑season trade from the Chicago Blackhawks and quickly established himself as a solid fit. He recorded five goals and 12 assists in 80 games across both the Blackhawks and Edmonton seasons, adding to his career totals of 48 goals and 129 assists for 177 points in 825 regular‑season games.
Offensively, Murphy offers limited production; his value lies in his shutdown defenseman play and ability to log heavy minutes as a top‑four defender. The signing has divided fans, with some praising the contract as a prudent acquisition while others view it as overly generous.
Oilers Doing Great Work So Far This Offseason
General manager Stan Bowman’s recent activity has been impressive. Securing both Dickinson and Murphy at reasonable prices demonstrates solid roster management, especially given the length of the contracts. While the five‑year term may seem lengthy, the structure helps spread the financial impact.
Murphy’s contract also includes a trade‑protection framework. He enjoys a no‑trade clause for the first three seasons, but a 16‑team trade list in the final two years allows Edmonton to move him if his performance declines.
The Oilers still have work to do, but retaining two key pending free agents marks a strong start to their offseason.
Oilers Had to Bring Back Murphy
A reported request for a trade by veteran blueliner Darnell Nurse left Edmonton with little choice but to re‑sign Murphy. With Jake Walman expected to assume Nurse’s role on the second pairing, losing Murphy would have forced the club into a costly replacement search. Murphy’s defensive reliability makes his return essential.
As noted earlier, Murphy’s offensive contributions are modest, but his shutdown defenseman skill set addresses one of the Oilers’ primary weaknesses. Bringing him back was a defensive necessity for the club.
Connor Murphy, signed 5x$4.1M by EDM, is a veteran stay-at-home defenceman with good size and reach who plays a disruptive game despite not having great wheels. Pretty good first pass but doesn’t do much with the puck. pic.twitter.com/hAXW3Ux2oc
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 22, 2026
Given his seamless fit after the deadline trade, relying on Murphy—rather than pursuing another free‑agent defenseman—represents a prudent roster decision.
Weak Free Agent Class Makes Deal Look Even Better
This year’s free‑agent pool is considered one of the weaker in recent memory, yet teams still chase impactful players. Right‑shot defensemen capable of occupying top‑four minutes are especially sought after, and Murphy fits that profile perfectly.
If Murphy had hit the market, some desperate clubs might have offered him as much as $5.5 million per season. In this context, Edmonton’s $4.1 million AAV deal appears exceptionally judicious.
Great Contract, Not Perfect
The contract is a solid acquisition for the Oilers, preserving a player who fits their system while maintaining financial flexibility for other moves. Although a shorter three‑year term would have been ideal, the added years help offload salary, striking a reasonable balance.
It’s not flawless, but the agreement earns a solid grade for the organization.
Grade: A-