The Edmonton Oilers are keeping a reliable blue-liner around for the long haul.
Connor Murphy has signed a five-year, $20.5-million deal with the Oilers, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday.
The contract carries an average annual value of $4.1 million.
The 33-year-old veteran tallied 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 80 games split between the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers last season after being dealt ahead of the trade deadline.
Murphy spent nine seasons in Chicago and previously played four seasons for the Arizona and Phoenix Coyotes, totalling 177 points over 825 career games.
Selected 20th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft, Murphy will continue to add an important, defensive-oriented presence to Edmonton’s blue line.