NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reveals the Oilers are closing in on trading for significant Blackhawks player

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman was recently on a podcast where he revealed the Edmonton Oilers are targeting Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy.

There is a rumor that the Edmonton Oilers targeted the Chicago Blackhawks' right-handed defenseman, Connor Murphy. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently appeared on the 'Oilers Now' show, hosted by Bob Stauffer, to discuss the need the Oilers have for a boost on the back end of their defense. Early-season rumors have indicated that Edmonton is in search of an experienced, right-handed defenseman, and Murphy's name has come up as one that could help prop the Oilers' back end. This is especially true now that the Oilers have lost significant scoring power with the injury to Connor McDavid for many games ahead.

With high expectations for the year, the Oilers have gotten off to a rather slow start. The inconsistent effort from the Oilers has them pegged as a team that's causing much frustration among fans and analysts alike. Many view the Oilers as just a couple of pieces away from seriously contending for the Stanley Cup once again. The addition of a veteran like Murphy can fix some of the much-needed vulnerabilities on the back end without having to make a huge overhaul.

Connor Murphy has been a steady presence in the Blackhawks' lineup, playing 46 games last season and averaging just less than 20 minutes of ice time per night. His offense was modest, at best, with just eight points, but his physicality and steady presence on the blue line are the reasons he's here. At 6-foot-4, Murphy would bring some size and sandpaper to an Edmonton defense that certainly could use it against the elite forwards of the West.

Of course, there's the complication of Murphy's contract, which still has one year remaining after this season, where he would then become a free agent and command big dollars. With the Oilers being tight up against the salary cap, they would certainly have to take into serious consideration whether the addition of Murphy is worth the financial squeeze. It's certainly up for debate if Edmonton has the assets or cap space to make a trade work, but the idea of Murphy in Oilers colors is surely appetizing for a team in dire need of depth on the back end.

At least at this point, this seems still to be just a speculative rumor, but there's no doubt Edmonton management is looking for more pieces for their defense. With each passing game and thorough evaluation, the rumors concerning Connor Murphy will likely gain speed as teams look to identify those holes in their defense that they need to address in time before the season slips away. Indeed, the Oilers would welcome Murphy, a solid physical defender, if they are willing to work their cap around him.

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