As the NHL trade deadline inches closer, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in a familiar position: sellers with valuable pieces to move. One of the most talked-about names on the board right now is veteran defenseman Connor Murphy - a big, right-shot blueliner who checks a lot of boxes for contending teams looking to shore up their back end.
Among the teams reportedly keeping tabs on Murphy? The Boston Bruins. And frankly, that fit makes a lot of sense.
The Bruins have been solid this season, but if there’s one area that could use a little reinforcement, it’s the right side of their defense. Injuries and inconsistency have exposed some depth concerns, especially when it comes to reliable, stay-at-home types who can eat minutes and hold their own in high-leverage situations. That’s where Murphy comes in.
At 6-foot-4 and over 210 pounds, Murphy brings size, experience, and a defensive-first mindset that could immediately help Boston’s second or third pairing. He’s not flashy, but he’s steady - the kind of player coaches trust late in games and on the penalty kill. In fact, if the Bruins were to land him, it’s easy to envision him logging tough minutes against top competition or anchoring a shutdown pair.
And it’s not just Boston in the mix. The Dallas Stars, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings are also believed to be interested. Each of those teams has its own reasons for kicking the tires, whether it's playoff positioning, veteran leadership, or simply adding a stabilizing presence to a young blue line.
Murphy’s numbers this season won’t blow you away - four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 57 games - but that’s not the point. His value lies in the details: 46 penalty minutes, 55 hits, 84 blocks. He’s doing the dirty work, sacrificing the body, and playing the kind of hard-nosed, responsible hockey that becomes even more valuable come playoff time.
And let’s not forget the contract situation. Murphy is a pending unrestricted free agent, which only adds fuel to the trade fire.
With the Blackhawks clearly in rebuild mode and a crop of promising young defensemen waiting in the wings, the writing’s on the wall. Moving Murphy now gives Chicago a chance to stockpile more assets while giving him a shot at meaningful games down the stretch.
For a team like Boston, that kind of rental could be exactly what they need to push deeper into the postseason. Whether he slots into the second pair or settles into a third-pairing role, Murphy brings a level of consistency and physicality that’s hard to find at this time of year.
Bottom line: if the Bruins - or any of the other interested teams - are serious about tightening things up defensively, Connor Murphy is a name to watch closely as the deadline approaches.