{"id":468331,"date":"2026-02-23T16:46:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/468331\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T16:46:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:46:16","slug":"nhl-rumors-oilers-blackhawks-becoming-trade-partners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/468331\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumors: Oilers & Blackhawks Becoming Trade Partners"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Chicago<\/a>
The Connor Murphy trade chatter is picking up steam now that the trade freeze has been lifted, and the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> sound like a team that could be interested.\u00a0
\nConnor Murphy trade fit with Oilers is obvious<\/p>\n

Murphy checks a lot of the boxes Edmonton seems to need every March.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a 6-foot-4 right shot who plays a simple, heavy game, kills penalties, and can handle tough minutes without needing power play time to matter. This season in Chicago, Murphy has 4 goals, 12 points, 55 hits, and 84 blocks in 57 games, and he\u2019s in the final year of his deal with a $4.4 million cap hit. <\/p>\n

The NHL’s Trade Freeze is now lifted, which means Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy could be dealt soon. <\/p>\n

Our @jayzawaski<\/a> asked Murphy’s Blackhawks teammates and coaches about his impact on them and the team during his nine years as a Hawk. https:\/\/t.co\/9S8TZgsf6b<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) February 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Murphy has spent nine of his 13 NHL years in Chicago, recording 34 goals, 123 points, a -38 plus\/minus rating, and 1120 blocked shots, and 1,070 hits across 544 games played.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Oilers trade deadline plan could come down to price<\/p>\n

Edmonton has gone shopping for a defenseman in two of the last three deadlines, and the market for right-shot help is usually expensive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why the Murphy angle makes sense, because he\u2019s a rental and Chicago can retain salary, which could matter if the Oilers want to keep their best assets intact while still upgrading the Nurse pair. <\/p>\n

There are other names being tossed around, like Luke Schenn of the Winnipeg Jets<\/a>, Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins<\/a>, Nick Perbix of the Nashville Predators<\/a>, and Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>, but the Oilers can\u2019t afford many misses if they\u2019re trying to stabilize the blue line quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If Murphy is truly available and the cost stays reasonable, he feels like the kind of \u201cboring but perfect\u201d add that can help how Edmonton defends when the games tighten up.<\/p>\n

Photo Credit:\u00a0James Guillory-Imagn Images<\/p>\n