Connor Murphy said all the right things in first Edmonton Oilers presser

Connor Murphy got quite a show during his first night in Edmonton.

The newest Edmonton Oilers defenceman arrived in the Alberta capital on Tuesday afternoon, just in time to watch his new team take to the ice. Murphy wasn’t able to suit up for the Oilers, but he was in Rogers Place to watch a stunning come-from-behind 5-4 OT victory over the Ottawa Senators.

It was a game that showed off a bit of everything from this Edmonton squad, from their defensive struggles to their potent offensive firepower. If Murphy doesn’t know what his new team is all about, he should after that performance.

The 32-year-old took some time in the first intermission to chat with local media, where he shared his reaction to being traded to the Oilers.

“We were in Winnipeg for an off-day, and we had a team Thermea Spa day. We did saunas and cold tubs,” Murphy explained. “Then I got back to my hotel, and my agent just said there were some talks going on with Stan [Bowman]… About an hour later, it was done.

“It was just a whirlwind of emotions, a lot of excitement. Edmonton has been a top team that I’ve had my sights set on; I knew something might happen. Just to be here is definitely surreal and definitely a lot of excitement to get started.”

"I just want to focus on my game, providing what I can & playing my best."

Connor Murphy speaks upon arriving at @RogersPlace after yesterday's #Oilers trade with the Blackhawks.
@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/gRePDLnhyx

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 4, 2026

Murphy will bring a much-needed defence-first focus to the Oilers’ blueline, which has been leaking goals against since returning from the Olympics. In the past four games, Edmonton has allowed a whopping 16 goals against while posting a disappointing 2-3-0 record.

It will be up to Murphy to come in and help get that number down to a more manageable level. By the sounds of it, he is looking forward to that challenge.

“[Preventing goals] is kinda all I’ve done,” He said with a smile. “My career has been a lot of penalty-killing and defensive-zone time… Where I’m comfortable, honestly, is more of my defending and using my instincts that way.

“I’ve settled into that role for a few years now, and I’m very comfortable doing that… It’s definitely something I take pride in.”

The Ohio native has been an excellent defender on a bad Chicago Blackhawks team this season, having been a key member of the team’s league-best penalty-killing unit. That will be another role that Murphy will have on this Edmonton squad.

Murphy is no stranger to Oilers’ GM Stan Bowman, who initially traded for him while GM of the Chicago Blackhawks back in the summer of 2017.

“When you’re around good people like him in the game, you want to be able to reconnect in some way,” Murphy said. “It’s pretty cool to see what he’s done, and this team’s done the last few years, and the mountain they’ve continued to climb. I’m really honoured to be here to try and do it again.”

He isn’t completely unaware of his new digs, as he was part of a Blackhawks team that played the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Edmonton bubble. That has helped him acclimate quickly to the arena, but he told reporters that he is more excited to immerse himself in the city.

Murphy was known for his charitable work in Chicago, and it sounds like he is itching to continue that here in Alberta.

“[Getting] to know the community more is what I’m looking forward to,” Murphy said. “To explore outside the rink and to get to know fans, and just people, and build relationships will be a lot of fun.”

They say first impressions are everything, and this was certainly a good one for Murphy and the Oilers. Fans won’t have to wait long to see him make his debut, as he is set to do so on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.