Edmonton Oilers have a match on two-player trade with Chicago Blackhawks
The Edmonton Oilers have every reason to go all-in at the trade deadline this season to assist their contending team, and one option could be a two-player deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Last night, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman connected the Oilers to acquiring forward Ryan Donato from the Blackhawks. The Oilers also reportedly want a defenceman, which the Blackhawks have in Connor Murphy.
Edmonton Oilers could target two player trade with Blackhawks to address forward and defence
Earlier this week, GM Stan Bowman said explicitly that the team's trade deadline plans will be to acquire one depth forward and depth defenceman.
Ryan Donato would more than fill the role of a depth forward, as he's having a career year with 19 goals and 37 points in 53 games. He's a center primarily that can play a penalty killing role, and has played wing in his career as well.
Connor Murphy is more of a top four defenceman than a depth player, and a right handed shot which doesn't fit the Oilers needs after adding John Klingberg.
However, Murphy has been asked to play the left side on Stan Bowman's Blackhawks, and could be good insurance if Klingberg can't keep up pace in the playoffs. As a veteran of over 700 games, Murphy can also be trusted in a penalty killing role, unlike John Klingberg.
The Oilers would likely be able to fit in both players under the salary cap with minimal retention, as long as Kane does not return until the playoffs. Murphy makes $4.4M for this year and next, while Donato collects $2M and is a pending free agent.
How much would the Oilers have to pay to acquire both Donato and Murphy
For the Oilers to complete a one-stop shop with the Blackhawks and add a 20 goal forward and a top four defenceman, they may have to pay up with some heavy trade assets.
The Oilers don't have much draft capital to deal with, and they don't want to give away too much of their weaker prospect system, but those are the only limited assets they can deal with.
The asking price for both Murphy and Donato likely starts with the Oilers first round draft pick in 2026, as well as at least one decent prospect. Beau Akey and Paul Fischer, the two Oilers prospects in the World Juniors this year, were named as likely trade bait that would interest a rebuilding team like Chicago.
Making this trade would certainly solidify the Oilers defence for the next two seasons and make their forward group one of the best in the league.
It could very well end up being their deadline move - but it may neglect their one true weakness in goaltending.
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