Oilers Bolster Defense and Bottom-Six with Blackhawks Trade Acquisitions

The Edmonton Oilers have significantly reshaped their roster ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach, and defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks. These moves aim to address key weaknesses in Edmonton’s lineup, particularly in defensive depth and bottom-six center play.

Jason Dickinson: A Defensive Anchor for the Third Line

The Oilers’ third-line center position has been a point of concern this season. Veteran Adam Henrique, at age 36, has struggled to maintain offensive production, ranking 394th out of 440 forwards with at least 200 minutes played at five-on-five in points per hour. Dickinson arrives from Chicago with a reputation as a defensively responsible forward.

In Chicago, Dickinson played approximately 48.4% of his ice time against elite competition, second-most among Blackhawks forwards this season, although maintaining a strong expected goal-share. Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman emphasized the importance of a reliable shutdown center, stating the necessitate to alleviate pressure on top players like Connor McDavid.^NHL.com

Dickinson is expected to center the third line, potentially alongside Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen, forming a line focused on defensive responsibility, and physicality. Podkolzin’s strong zone exit abilities complement Dickinson’s defensive stick work and ability to win battles.

Connor Murphy: Adding Stability to the Defensive Pairing

The Oilers have also sought to stabilize their bottom defensive pairings with the acquisition of Connor Murphy. Jake Walman, while better suited to playing on the left side, had seen his defensive performance decline, with the Oilers giving up a team-worst 3.42 expected goals against per hour with him on the ice.^NHL.com

Murphy, standing at 6-foot-4, is known for his size, strength, and stay-at-home defensive style. He leads the Blackhawks in expected goals against per hour and ranks fifth in the NHL in defensive Wins Above Replacement. He is expected to pair with Walman, providing a defensive safety net and allowing Walman to utilize his offensive skills.

Penalty Killing Reinforcements

Both Dickinson and Murphy bring valuable penalty-killing experience. The Blackhawks currently boast the NHL’s top-ranked penalty kill, with Murphy and Dickinson playing significant roles. The Oilers have struggled shorthanded this season, ranking 27th in goals against and expected goals against on the penalty kill. Murphy is expected to be paired with Walman on the penalty kill, potentially reducing the reliance on Nurse in that role.

Trade Details

The Oilers acquired Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach from the Blackhawks in exchange for forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.^NHL.com Prior to this, the Oilers had already acquired defenseman Connor Murphy from Chicago for a second-round pick in the 2028 draft.^{AP NewsThe Hockey News}

These acquisitions represent a clear effort by the Oilers to address defensive vulnerabilities and add depth to their forward lines as they prepare for a playoff push.