Oilers Bolster Defense with Murphy and Dickinson Acquisitions

New additions aim to shore up porous defense and provide depth at center

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Edmonton Oilers have made significant moves to solidify their defense, acquiring Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson from the Chicago Blackhawks. These additions, orchestrated by former Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman, are intended to address the Oilers' defensive weaknesses and provide more lineup balance.

Why it matters

The Oilers have struggled with defensive reliability and depth at center this season, leading to increased minutes for star players like Connor McDavid. The acquisitions of Murphy and Dickinson are expected to alleviate these issues and improve the team's overall defensive structure.

The details

Connor Murphy, a defenseman, is expected to stabilize the Oilers' defensive pairings, particularly when paired with Jake Walman. Murphy's defensive statistics and ability to limit scoring chances are expected to bolster the Oilers' blueline. Jason Dickinson, a center, is projected to anchor the third line, providing defensive stability and relieving pressure on the top lines. Dickinson's ability to play against elite competition and maintain a positive expected goal share makes him a valuable addition.

  • The Oilers acquired Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, and Colton Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks in a recent trade.

The players

Connor Murphy

A defenseman known for his defensive reliability and ability to limit scoring chances. He is expected to stabilize the Oilers' defensive pairings.

Jason Dickinson

A center who is projected to anchor the Oilers' third line, providing defensive stability and relieving pressure on the top lines.

Stan Bowman

The former general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, who orchestrated the trade that sent Murphy and Dickinson to the Oilers.

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What they’re saying

“We must address our defensive weaknesses and provide more depth at center. These acquisitions are a strategic move to improve our lineup and give us a better chance at playoff success.”

— Stan Bowman, Former Blackhawks GM (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The Oilers will need to integrate Murphy and Dickinson into their lineup and see how the new defensive pairings and line combinations perform in the coming games.

The takeaway

The Oilers' acquisitions of Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson represent a concerted effort to address their defensive shortcomings and provide more balance throughout their lineup. These moves, orchestrated by former Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman, aim to improve the team's overall defensive structure and reduce the burden on star players like Connor McDavid.