The Edmonton Oilers have sent a clear message about their offseason direction with Connor Murphy’s new contract extension.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported on X, “Connor Murphy and the Oilers are closing in on a long-term extension, at approximately $4M per year. Contract is similar to Jason Dickinson (5 x $4M), but not exactly the same.”
The deal is now complete, with Murphy signing a five-year, $20.5 million extension carrying a $4.1 million annual cap hit. The contract keeps the veteran defenseman in Edmonton through the 2030-31 season.
Murphy arrived from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline and quickly earned a larger role. His average ice time jumped from 16:34 in Chicago to 20:27 with Edmonton, where he became a key partner for Darnell Nurse, who has now requested a trade out of Edmonton.
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The extension follows Edmonton’s five-year commitment to Jason Dickinson. Together, the signings reveal where general manager Stan Bowman believes the team fell short.
Oilers focused on fixing a broken defensive structure with Connor Murphy’s extension
Edmonton’s offense remained among the league’s best during the 2025-26 season. The bigger problem was a defensive group that allowed 269 goals, ranking 25th in the NHL.
That weakness became even more apparent during a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Injuries played a role, but Edmonton struggled to defend consistently throughout the series.
Murphy fits the profile of what the Oilers lacked. He blocks shots, kills penalties, and rarely takes unnecessary risks with the puck.
There is risk attached to the contract. Murphy will be 38 years old when the deal expires, and long-term contracts for aging defensemen often create concerns.
Still, from a roster-building perspective, Edmonton is prioritizing reliability over upside. The organization appears determined to create a stronger defensive foundation around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Mike Babcock’s influence looms over the NHL offseason
Murphy’s extension also arrives as Edmonton moves closer to hiring Mike Babcock as head coach.
Speaking on 32 Thoughts, Friedman said, “Barring a strange snag, that one is done” when discussing Babcock’s expected hiring.
Friedman also revealed that three Oilers players met directly with Babcock before the decision.
“I think the Oilers were all in on this,” Friedman said. “They weren’t backing down. I don’t think their players were backing down. I heard from a couple of people that when he met with the three Oilers players, it was some meeting. I heard they really grilled him hard, and I heard he spoke to them about their own role and the fact the Oilers hadn’t won yet, very bluntly. But they’re going to do this.”
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If Babcock officially takes over, Murphy becomes an important piece of the type of structure-driven system he has traditionally preferred. Defensive accountability has long been a cornerstone of Babcock’s coaching philosophy.
Taken together, the Murphy and Dickinson extensions suggest Edmonton is reshaping its identity. After a season defined by defensive breakdowns, the Oilers are investing heavily in stability, structure, and experience as they attempt to maximize the remaining years of McDavid’s championship window.
What are the Oilers going to do next?
Following Connor Murphy’s extension, the Oilers are projected to have roughly $7.4 million in remaining cap space for active roster players. But they still have so many decisions to make.
Per NHL analyst Jim Matheson, the Oilers “Have to get another goalie clearly, sign RFAs Dach and Stastney and maybe depth UFA if they want in Lazar or Jones. Plus a warm body coming back when they move Nurse’s contract.”
So, this is just the beginning for the Oilers.
