The Chicago Blackhawks are rebuilding. As we are approaching the National Hockey League regular season start, one name that keeps on coming up in trade rumors is defenseman Connor Murphy of Boston, Massachusetts. Murphy is in the final year of a four year contract worth $17.6 million. The blueliner is set to make $4.4 million in 2025-26. It is highly unlikely that Murphy will return to the Blackhawks for the 2026-27 season, as he is 32 years old and will want to play for an organization that is contending now.
Murphy’s 2024-25 stats
Murphy has two goals and 17 assists for 19 points. He is a -2 with 52 penalty minutes, one shorthanded point, 84 shots on goal, 160 blocked shots, 117 hits, 17 takeaways and 64 giveaways.
What teams are possible to be interested in Murphy?
The four teams that could be in the mix are the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings. Let’s take a look at each organization.
Dallas Stars
Earlier this summer we discussed the possibility of Rasmus Andersson going to Dallas. An acquisition of Connor Murphy may make more sense. Dallas already has three solid defensemen on their roster in Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley, but the Stars could be looking for a right handed defenseman to play with Harley. Murphy would be an upgrade to Ilya Lyubushkin and Nils Lundqvist on the right side. The Stars have already made a trade to their defense in the offseason as they picked up Vladislav Kolyachonok from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Mathew Dumba and a second round pick.
Montreal Canadiens
Earlier this week we discussed the chances of Carey Price going to Chicago for financial reasons. Murphy could be a possibility of going to Montreal in return. Murphy would be an improvement on the right side to Logan Mailloux, and provide leadership to a Canadiens defense that contains Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is need of a shutdown defenseman after being unable to shut down the Florida Panthers in the playoffs. The Maple Leafs already acquired Henry Thrun in the offseason, but he is more likely to be a seventh defenseman, while Murphy is more likely to crack the top six.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings have been busy lately as they signed Travis Hamonic this past week. The Red Wings have depth on their defense, but lack experience as they have two young Swedish defensemen in the mix who have combined to play only 164 NHL games.
