The Edmonton Oilers don't need Connor Murphy to be a top pairing defenseman. They have a prime pairing, make up of Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm, that is both capable of playing big minutes against the best opposition, but also contributing points from the blue line. Murphy's job, as he enters his first full season in an Oilers jersey, and the fourteenth of his career, is to ensure that the team doesn't lose the game when its best players are on the bench.
Given Darnell Nurse's departure, Murphy is all but guaranteed to play second pairing minutes alongside $7 million defenseman Jake Walman. Walman had an uninspiring 2025-26 season, marred by injuries and imperfect play. He was one of many Oilers who underwhelmed in both the regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but as of this September, his big contract kicks into place, and he will be expected to deliver results that match his compensation. That's where Murphy comes in.
They're called defensive pairings
Long time Oiler fans will recall Bouchard struggles as a young player, entering the league, and how the addition of Ekholm's calm and competent presence, allowed Bouchard to develop into the Norris-worthy (You hear me PHWA?) defender he is today. The addition of a reliable second pairing defender in Murphy, who won't contribute the offense we saw from Nurse, but should be reliable upon for fewer ups and downs during his ice time, means Walman can take some chances when opportunities to jump into the play materialize, and that fewer of those will end up in the wrong net if the play is broken up.
Murphy has been in the league longer than the Oilers superstars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. He has played on some bad hockey teams over that time. First as a Phoenix/Arizona Coyote, and then as a Chicago Blackhawk as the team dove into the National Hockey League Standings basement in pursuit of Connor Bedard. He understands the limited career window that remains for him to win a Stanley Cup. Barring injury, we can expect complete dedication from Murphy and not only should that mean some amount of coverage for Walman's defensive lapses, but also solid leadership by example on the ice next to him every shirt.
The combined salary of the Oilers first pairing is $14.5 million (Bouchard's $10.5 plus Ekholm's $4) . Their second pair comes in at $11.1 (Walman's $7 plus Murphy's $4.1). Their individual expectations will differ, but it's going to take great play and continued health for all of them to win the Cup.
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