Oilers lock in Connor Murphy on five-year extension
Defenceman signs $4.1-million average annual deal through 2030-31 season.
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The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed defenceman Connor Murphy to a five-year contract extension worth $20.5 million, carrying an average annual value of $4.1 million and running through the 2030-31 NHL season.
Murphy, 33, was acquired by the Oilers at last year's trade deadline from the Chicago Blackhawks. He became a mainstay in Edmonton's top four down the stretch and was an important piece of the blueline in the playoffs, recording one goal and three assists in six playoff games — including a team-leading 15 blocked shots.
In 20 regular-season games with the Oilers last season, Murphy managed one goal and four points. While not known for offensive production, he excels in the defensive zone — addressing a key weakness for the Oilers as they prepare for the offseason.
The contract includes a full no-trade clause for the first three years, which will revert to a 16-team trade list in the final two years. The extension comes one day after the Oilers signed forward Jason Dickinson to a five-year deal worth $4 million per season.
With Darnell Nurse expected to be traded away this summer, bringing back Murphy was a priority for Edmonton's offseason plan. Oilers GM Stan Bowman will now turn his attention to remaining unrestricted free agents Jack Roslovic and Kasperi Kapanen.