Ahead of the 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline, the Chicago Blackhawks had a yard sale. Part of that was shipping both Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for future assets. 

Now, as free agents, they are looking to secure contracts for the upcoming season and beyond. Neither of them is a young player anymore, but they each provide a unique profile to any given team. 

Mark Spector of Sportsnet had an update on each of them via social media over the last day, saying that talks are ongoing between the team and players. 

Spector's report makes it seem like Dickinson will get done before Murphy, but neither seems to be leaving the Oilers unless something changes. 

In Dickinson, they have a great third-line center to form a trio with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. With Dickinson in the mix, they can run three good lines that can score and be relied on against any opponent. 

In Murphy, they have a solid middle-pair defenseman who can play shutdown against the opposing team's top lines. On an Edmonton team that needs help on that side of the puck, Murphy fits right in. 

It isn't like he can't make a good first pass to lead a breakout either, which is important when playing on the same roster as that much firepower. 

These two players proved to be extremely useful depth pieces during their time in Chicago, allowing the Blackhawks to flip them at the deadline for future help. Each side seems to have gotten what they wanted out of it. 

UPDATE:

Jason Dickinson has a 5 year deal with a cap hit of $4 million per.

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