Such a trade would likely have to include salary going back like Barrie going in the Ekholm trade (barring a major injury opening up space). Beyond that, if Broberg does take a step forward, there's no way I envision EDM including him in a trade for Murphy as he'd be a key part of pushing their contending window over the top on a value contract this year and over the years of his likely bridge deal. If he doesn't, then sure he could certainly be available for such a trade.

With these factors in mind, I could see the pick being bumped up to the '24 or '25 1st and swapping Broberg out for Ceci (w/o injury cap space) or Desharnais (w/ injury cap space) alongside another pick (likely a '26 2nd). Whether that suits your tastes or not, that's how I think a Murphy deal would look.

It won't have the multi year retention then. And that might be fine with you because Ceci is going back, but if you're looking to buy cap space for an additional 2 years. It'll require a pretty darn good prospect.

I am weary about retaining on Murphy. That leaves us with only 1 retention spot for next season unless you are anticipating we won't have a need/desire to retain (I think we will imo).

If we're using the Ekholm deal as precedent, then I propose:


(RD) Connor Murphy ($916,666 retained)
2024 6th Round Pick (CHI)


(LD) Brett Kulak
(RW) Xavier Bourgault
2024 1st Round Pick (EDM)
2025 4th Round Pick (EDM)

This is a complete carbon-copy of the deal Edmonton sent Nashville, the only variance being that the retentions and salaries swapped result in different numbers. Edmonton still brings in a cap hit equal to 33% greater than what they're sending out (as they did with Barrie/Ekholm), sends out the requisite pick and prospect, and the low picks are exchanged accordingly. I don't think moving Ceci is the play: if we look at what the Barrie-Ekholm swap accomplished, it was to make more room for Bouchard in the role that Barrie was then occupying. Kulak is buy-and-large a better defender than Ceci but his presence on the roster diminishes from Broberg's ability to play his natural side. Thus, the Oilers make more room for their young LHD by upgrading the right-hand side.

Personally, I like this deal far less than the Ekholm deal and I'd much rather move Berezkin or Petrov over Bourgault as Edmonton has virtually nothing for starboard-side wing prospects outside of Bourgault, Lavoie, and Tullio. Both Russians are quality prospects, the only "issues" with the former is that Berezkin isn't coming to North America for another 2 seasons.

Bourgault is needed for his immediacy in Edmonton's bottom-six in 2024-25: could you be talked into Berezkin plus the 2025 3rd Round Pick over Bourgault and the 2025 4th Round Pick?

I would take that, but honestly just bump the retention to half.

Why would you carbon copy the Ekholm deal though? Ekholm is a far better player than Murphy.