Murphy signs 5-year, $20.5 million contract with Oilers

Connor Murphy is looking forward to spending more time with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and integrating himself with the Edmonton Oilers’ leadership.

The 33-year-old defenseman signed a five-year, $20.5 million contract with the Oilers on Monday. It has an average annual value of $4.1 million.

Murphy committed to Edmonton one day after forward Jason Dickinson signed a five-year, $20 million contract ($4 million AAV) with the Oilers on Sunday. Each player could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

“There are so many guys that have been here for many years, so I honestly think I can speak for Jason in that worth -- we’re just coming in and trying to gel and feel like we can learn off these guys, the ropes of how it’s been with the team and the success that they have created since they’ve been here,” Murphy said Monday. “So, we’re trying to be a part of that and excel any way we can. I think leadership-wise, honestly, there is a lot of players that lead in different ways.”

With McDavid and Draisaitl at the tip of the spear, Edmonton is still hoping to be a Stanley Cup contender next season. The Oilers were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference First Round this season, losing in six games.

Murphy, who had three points (two goals, one assist) in Edmonton’s six Stanley Cup Playoff games, is looking to continue playing his part as a shutdown defenseman and provide leadership on the blue line.

“What Connor does is unmatched and the way Leo adds to that and (defenseman Evan Bouchard), there’s guys that their performance and the way they lead is at such a high level, that makes them amazing captains and assistant captains,” Murphy said. “And the other guys like us that fit in the lineup still need to bring leadership with each other and make it a collective effort because that’s what creates the best culture and environment.”

Murphy had 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 80 regular-season games for the Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks this season, including four points (one goal, three assists) in 20 games after he was acquired by Edmonton in a trade on March 2 for a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

“Being a part of Edmonton, my family and myself felt super welcomed and really felt like we hit it off with the team, with the families, the wives and the kids, having a two-year-old now,” Murphy said. “We wanted something that where we are, we’re going to be happy and comfortable with.

“With the team, the hockey environment and high-end talent and the ceiling of what the team is capable of, really strives a lot of motivation and passion that I felt I revitalized with since being traded. So, it made that excitement to make it a top priority to keep it going and there wasn’t another situation that could have captured that going into free agency.”

Selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round (No. 20) of the 2011 NHL Draft, Murphy has 177 points (48 goals, 129 assists) in 825 regular-season games for the Coyotes, Blackhawks and Oilers, and seven points (two goals, five assists) in 15 NHL playoff games.

Prior to arriving in Edmonton, Murphy had not played a postseason game since 2020 with Chicago. His ice time this season increased from 16:34 in Chicago to 20:27 with Edmonton in a top-four role before averaging 21:17 in the playoffs.

“My role defined at this point in my career has been pretty straightforward about being a defenseman that’s hard to play against and trying to limit chances against, and trying to bring some competitiveness and leadership where I can,” Murphy said. “I don’t see changing my game, but I do hope to get the best out of my game. I still think I have better to prove, so I hopefully, whatever staff is implemented, I can continue to grow my game and find ways to continue to be more effective and help the team in better ways that I ever have.”

Edmonton is the only team in the NHL without a coach after firing Kris Knoblauch on May 14, two weeks after being eliminated.

The Oilers, who have qualified for the playoffs every season since 2019-20, lost to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025.

“We’re just trying to add pieces to the puzzle that’s been in place for years,” Murphy said. “We’re trying to (complement) those star players and a lot of the core that’s been there. We want to try to bring strengths of our game that can hopefully help the team in a defensive way and in a playing way all around.”