The Chicago Blackhawks look to proceed to construct in direction of the long run. The Blackhawks might transfer on from Connor Murphy this offseason as a part of the constructing in direction of the long run. We take a look at why the Blackhawks should commerce Connor Murphy this offseason.
Connor Murphy entered the NHL because the twentieth decide within the 2011 NHL Draft, being chosen by the Phoenix Coyotes. He would make his NHL debut within the 2013-14 NHL season. Murphy would break up time between the AHL and the NHL that yr and turn into a full-time NHL participant within the 2014-15 season. Within the 2016 offseason, Murphy would signal a six-year extension to stick with the Coyotes. Nonetheless, he can be traded after the 2016-17 season to the Blackhawks. Since then, he has signed a four-year extension, which is about to run out this season.
Murphy’s present contract has a cap hit of $4.4 million this yr. Murphy has been the topic of commerce hypothesis earlier than. He was talked about as a attainable mid-season commerce candidate for the Blackhawks this previous season. Additional, Murphy does have a modified no-trade clause. He can have a 10-team checklist by which he can reject a commerce to.
Connor Murphy’s commerce worth could also be at a peak
This can be the most effective time for the Blackhawks to maneuver Murphy. First, he’s within the remaining yr of his contract. Murphy can be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the season and can be trying to signal a brand new deal price greater than his present $4.4 million. Murphy has performed within the postseason simply as soon as, which might improve his need to maneuver on.
If the Blackhawks don’t wish to maintain Murphy past this yr, or Murphy signifies his need to play for a contender, they need to transfer him now. This might enable a workforce to not solely commerce for Murphy, but additionally lengthen him, understanding their present cap state of affairs. Sending Murphy away mid-season would most definitely be to a workforce on the lookout for him as a rental piece. That’s positive to usher in a smaller commerce haul.
Second, Murphy is coming off one in every of his greatest seasons of his profession. He performed in 68 video games this yr, the third most he has performed in since becoming a member of the Blackhawks in 2017. Additional, he had a profession excessive in assists whereas tying his profession excessive in factors. Murphy additionally noticed his defensive statistics enhance. He had a minus-two plus/minus score, which was the most effective he has had because the 2020-21 season.
His superior statistics improved as properly. He noticed his Particular person Level Share (IPP) be the very best of his profession in a full season of play. Which means he was concerned in scoring extra factors when objectives had been scored with Murphy on the ice. His anticipated objectives and scoring probabilities created each had been at their highest marks in over 5 years. Additional, he had extra takeaways and hits than within the 2023-24 season. Lastly, he blocked 134 pictures final season, which was 41 greater than the yr prior, and the very best of his profession. With Murphy having a number of the greatest numbers he has had in years, plus him turning 33 this season, this can be the most effective time to maneuver him.
Article Continues Under
The Blackhawks have younger defenders able to play
Connor Murphy will flip 33 years previous throughout the 2024-25 season. Whereas that’s not previous in comparison with some defensemen, that’s 5 years older than the NHL common. The Blackhawks have mentioned they need superstars at each place on the ice. Murphy is most definitely past the age of changing into a celebrity within the NHL. Nonetheless, the Blackhawks have loads of gamers who might fill that mildew.
First, Alex Vlasic is coming off a stellar yr. He’s simply 23 years previous and performed within the prime defensive pairing for the Blackhawks this season. Additional, he scored 4 objectives and added 26 assists this season, whereas additionally being a contributor on the facility play. He spent a part of the yr paired with veterans, similar to Murphy and T.J. Brodie. Nonetheless, he ended the yr enjoying with Sam Rinzel. Rinzel is simply 20 years previous and performed properly in his 9 video games with the Blackhawks. In 9 video games, he had 5 assists with three on the facility play. Additional, he has a plus/minus score of plus one in these video games. Solely Ilya Mikheyev appeared in a sport for the Blackhawks and in addition had a optimistic plus/minus score.
Second, Kevin Korchinski remains to be underneath contract, whereas Wyatt Kaiser and Louis Crevier are each restricted free brokers. All three of them are underneath the age of 25. In addition they all obtained enjoying time final yr. Kaiser had probably the most, enjoying in 57 video games, whereas Crevier performed in 32, and Korchinski performed in 16. Additional, Nolan Allen performed in 43 video games and confirmed some promise on the AHL degree. He’s simply 22 years previous and nonetheless underneath contract.
Whereas the Blackhawks have loads of youth choices, they’d have a small gap to fill with a veteran presence. Brodie can be the one defender underneath contract who can be over the age of 26. Nonetheless, if the Blackhawks won’t be contending this yr, it could be price holding only one veteran presence and permitting the opposite gamers to develop.