The NHL trade market got a serious jolt on January 18, as the Vegas Golden Knights pulled off a significant move by acquiring defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames. Andersson had been one of the most talked-about names on the block for months, and now that he’s officially on the move, the ripple effects are already starting to show.
One name that’s starting to draw more attention in the wake of the Andersson deal? Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy. With Andersson-arguably the top right-shot defenseman available-off the board, Murphy now finds himself in the spotlight as one of the most appealing right-handed blueliners potentially up for grabs ahead of the deadline.
Murphy brings a lot to the table. He’s a steady, experienced presence on the back end, and while he might not have the flashy offensive numbers of some of his peers, his value comes from his reliability, physicality, and ability to log big minutes in tough matchups. For contending teams looking to shore up their blue line with a dependable right-shot defender, Murphy checks a lot of boxes.
And he’s not alone. The market still has a few other right-shot defensemen generating buzz, including Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils, Justin Faulk from the St.
Louis Blues, Luke Schenn with the Winnipeg Jets, and Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins. But among that group, Murphy stands out-not just because of his skill set, but also due to the combination of his contract situation, experience, and potential fit on a playoff-caliber roster.
Now that Andersson is off the table, the question becomes: who’s next? And more specifically, does Connor Murphy become the next domino to fall?
Teams that could make sense as landing spots for Murphy include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings-clubs that are either in the thick of the playoff race or looking to solidify their defensive depth for a postseason push. Each of those teams has needs on the right side of their defense, and Murphy’s style of play could make him an ideal fit.
With the trade deadline creeping closer, the market for right-shot defensemen is starting to take shape-and Murphy is rapidly becoming one of the most intriguing names to watch.