As the Stanley Cup Final approaches, attention is also turning to the 30 NHL teams that fell short, with plenty of off-season speculation already brewing.
One of those teams is the Chicago Blackhawks, who may be looking to continue reshaping their roster — including a potential trade involving a veteran defenseman.
NHL Trade Rumor: Blackhawks Defenseman a Possible Trade Asset
According to Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff, Chicago blueliner Connor Murphy is ranked eighth on his list of top 20 trade candidates.
Murphy, 32, is entering the final year of his $4.4 million per year contract. He tallied 19 points (2 goals, 17 assists) in 68 games this past season and stands as one of the team’s most experienced players.
With emerging young defensemen like Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, and Artyom Levshunov in the pipeline, the Blackhawks may consider moving Murphy to acquire assets or address other roster needs.
While his cap hit isn’t overwhelming — especially with the salary cap expected to rise — any extra space could help accelerate Chicago’s rebuild under GM Kyle Davidson.
The team is looking to return to contention after several difficult seasons, and although they have promising young talent, more progress is needed.
What This Could Mean
Murphy would be a solid addition to a contending team’s blue line. Though not a high scorer, he brings valuable physicality and experience.
His contract, with only one year remaining, makes him an appealing rental option for playoff-bound teams.
Additionally, the Blackhawks hold the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and could eye top defense prospect Matthew Schaefer if available, despite already having depth on the back end.
If Murphy isn’t moved this summer, trade discussions will likely resurface near the 2026 trade deadline, especially if Chicago remains outside the playoff picture.
