The Chicago Blackhawks traded defenseman Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers for a second-round pick in 2028, the clubs announced Monday.
The Blackhawks retained 50% of Murphy's $4.4-million cap hit. Murphy will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Oilers have to send a player to the AHL to absorb Murphy's cap hit, according to PuckPedia. Edmonton placed Mattias Janmark on long-term injured reserve and waived Andrew Mangiapane on Sunday.
Murphy should provide the Oilers some much-needed defensive depth as they gear up for the stretch run. Edmonton has allowed the fifth-most goals in the NHL this season and the second-most at even strength.
The Oilers acquired Tristan Jarry in December in an attempt to solve the club's issues in net, but he's only managed an .863 save percentage since the trade.
Although Murphy has recorded 173 points in 805 career games, he remains a steady defensive presence at even strength and on the penalty kill. He's registered 100-plus blocks in all but two of his 12 NHL seasons, and his arrival in Edmonton as a right-handed shot should allow Jake Walman to move back to his natural side.
