The Oilers added big, right-shot defender Connor Murphy to shore up their defensive conscience, but when you factor in the Skinner/Kulak-for-Jarry swap and the draft capital spent, it’s fair to question whether they’ve meaningfully improved, especially with bottom-six centre still a need. On the broader D market, Tyler Myers’ no-trade indecision may be stalling movement, with names like Ristolainen, Faulk, and Parayko also in play. The Rangers’ Brayden Schneider and the Blues’ Robert Thomas are drawing interest but would command massive returns, while Jordan Binnington chatter is quietly building after his Olympic performance boost. Meanwhile, Craig Berube seemed to question his team’s heart and hockey IQ and the Kings fired Jim Hiller with DJ Smith stepping in amid playoff pressure. Will teams like Boston and Pittsburgh, armed with significant draft capital, emerge as surprising deadline players? The countdown is on!

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