Murphy and Dickinson give Oilers structure to rebound

Murphy and – After a Round 1 loss to Anaheim that exposed Edmonton’s defensive breakdowns and penalty-kill struggles, the Oilers moved quickly to address it by signing veterans Darnell Nurse? and Leo?—instead, Tyson?—No. The additions are veteran defenders Darnell Murphy?

Edmonton’s Round 1 exit didn’t just end a season. It served up a brutally clear snapshot of how the Oilers were beaten—by the time Anaheim’s power play got going, by the Grade A chances Edmonton surrendered, and by a penalty kill that simply couldn’t hold.

In a Zoom call after the two veterans signed nearly identical five-year deals, Murphy and Dickinson tried to put language to what Edmonton has felt since that series. Murphy pointed directly to breakdowns and special teams.

“We got outplayed, (gave) up a lot of goals, and a lot of them were breakdowns from giving up a lot of Grade A chances,” Murphy said. “Then our penalty kill was not performing very well, and giving up goals that way too.”

He didn’t frame it like a mystery that would solve itself with time. “I don’t think that’s something that’s hard to figure out that needs to be a priority of ours,” he said. “Realizing what hasn’t worked in the past, and what’s going to work going forward.”

Edmonton’s penalty kill and their overall defensive game were tested hard in that matchup with Anaheim. The series saw Anaheim’s power play operate at 50 per cent and score eight power play goals in six games—numbers that don’t blur, even when a roster is dealing with a long season.

The Oilers, meanwhile, also know what was at stake before that series ever started. They had a 2025-26 season that didn’t end the way they wanted, and the way it ended carried weight. “Last season was a bit of a write-off. ending with an injury-riddled roster that couldn’t compete with Anaheim. ” the report notes. while acknowledging the playoff series left a mark.

That’s where the new contracts land: not as a headline-grab, but as an attempt to change the brand of hockey Edmonton plays when it’s under pressure.

Dickinson described the job he’s being brought in to do—consistency that doesn’t need to be flashy. “Murph and I bring a consistency to that defensive game that is reliable,” Dickinson explained. “It’s not flashy. It’s not sexy. But it’s effective, and so it’s a piece that fits well with what they’ve already got (in Edmonton).”.

He linked the defensive responsibilities to stress levels for the stars. “You bring in guys that can handle the defensive responsibilities,” he said, “and it takes a little bit of that stress out of constantly getting scored on that forces (the stars) to constantly have to keep scoring.”

Both signings were nearly identical five-year deals—Murphy and Dickinson each agreed to the same long-term structure. and both contract terms reflect how Edmonton expects them to function over multiple seasons. Murphy, at 33, will make $4.1 million annually, while Dickinson, who turns 31 in July, gets $4 million per.

Both contracts include a No Movement Clause for three years, and then a 16-team No Trade List is submitted in Year 4 of their contract.

They also fit the roles Edmonton needs when it wants its best players to play with cleaner matchups. Dickinson’s place on the roster is set: he is a third-line centre behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

“You bring in defensive-minded players that can manage those hard objectives to allow (McDavid and Draisaitl) to play a little bit freer against maybe a second or third line. ” Dickinson said. “Instead of going up against top players all the time. they get a little bit of time to play easier matchups. And I get the job to make sure that they don’t score on us.”.

Murphy’s role is described just as plainly. He’s a defensive-minded second pairing guy, with a focus on doing the work that keeps games manageable—physical when needed, and low-maintenance when it comes to managing matchups or power play opportunity.

“Murphy is a solid, defensive-minded, second pairing guy. High in character, low in maintenance,” the report states. “Physical, and not in need of pampering where matchups or power play opportunity is concerned.”

The contract pairing also comes with a shared past in how they were acquired. Both Murphy and Dickinson were acquired from Chicago around the trade deadline in March.

Murphy’s experience is also part of the pitch. His NHL career is described as 825 games built on penalty killing, shot blocking and reliability.

That kind of specialization becomes especially relevant when a team is trying to respond to a series where the penalty kill “was not performing very well.” Edmonton isn’t only chasing better defenders; it’s chasing specific habits and responsibilities—habits Murphy is already known for carrying.

And then there’s the coaching question hanging over everything. Edmonton’s expected next step is a coaching change, with Mike Babcock’s hire anticipated to be announced at a Tuesday press conference.

For Murphy and Dickinson, that uncertainty didn’t slow the decision to sign before free agency opens on July 1. Murphy said the mindset in the dressing room isn’t built around avoiding accountability.

“I feel like whatever coach comes in and whatever they try to implement, accountability-wise or structure-wise or discipline, guys will handle it,” he said. “I think guys really want to be coached. So anything that’s thrown this team’s way, they’re going to really grasp it.”

He added that the expectation isn’t just to accept a system, but to push for the best version of it. “Try to get the best out of each other with whatever he’s given.”

There’s a clear relationship in the way Edmonton is approaching the next chapter: the Oilers were beaten by defensive breakdowns and special teams failures. then moved to lock in veterans who talk in terms of reliability. objectives. penalty killing and matchups—exactly the ingredients that were missing when Anaheim’s power play hit at 50 per cent and cashed in eight times over six games.

Edmonton Oilers Anaheim Ducks Round 1 loss Murphy Dickinson Mike Babcock Connor McDavid Leon Draisaitl NHL signings penalty kill power play No Movement Clause trade deadline March five-year deals