{"id":272415,"date":"2025-11-05T05:49:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T05:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/272415\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T05:49:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T05:49:09","slug":"in-connor-murphys-likely-final-blackhawks-season-his-playing-time-is-falling-off-a-cliff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/272415\/","title":{"rendered":"In Connor Murphy’s likely final Blackhawks season, his playing time is falling off a cliff"},"content":{"rendered":"

VANCOUVER, British Columbia \u2014 When the Blackhawks<\/a> made their first trip to Seattle in November 2021, veteran defenseman Connor Murphy logged a hefty 22:30 of ice time \u2014 one of 33 games that season in which Murphy, who had just signed a four-year extension the previous summer, exceeded the 22-minute mark.<\/p>\n

Fast-forward four years and Murphy, 32, finds himself in a much different position on the Hawks\u2019 depth chart, even as their longest-tenured player.<\/p>\n

He played only 8:30 in a 3-1 loss to the Kraken on Monday night<\/a>, the lowest ice time of his career in any game in which he didn\u2019t get injured. He was given only three shifts in the third period.<\/p>\n

Over the last five games, he has averaged barely 12 minutes, a dramatic decrease since last season, when he averaged more than 20 minutes when healthy.<\/p>\n

As an alternate captain and generally selfless teammate, Murphy struck an amicable tone Sunday when asked about his reduced workload, but it\u2019s clear he\u2019s not thrilled.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery player wants to play more, obviously, so I don\u2019t think anyone would be happy with having less minutes,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I understand there are decisions. Part of it is I think all of our \u2018D\u2019 are playing really well, so it\u2019s not something I can argue against in any way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re given your opportunities and shifts, [I\u2019m] trying to make the most of them and still have an effect on the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murphy\u2019s groin condition, osteitis pubis<\/a>, has sidelined him for significant portions of each of the last two seasons, but he insists it\u2019s not inhibiting him now, for which he\u2019s thankful after hurting for much of the summer. However, his lack of quickness and agility at this age makes him an imperfect fit in coach Jeff Blashill\u2019s aggressive systems, and he\u2019s struggling as a result. The Hawks have been outscored 5-2 with an ugly 38.9% scoring-chance ratio during Murphy\u2019s five-on-five ice time.<\/p>\n

He seems aware of that. While answering a different question Sunday, he joked about defenseman Wyatt Kaiser not being \u201cheavy-footed like myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blashill and Murphy talked \u201ca little bit\u201d about the situation before the Kraken game, Blashill said.<\/p>\n

\u201cConnor has been a good player for us, and Connor is a leader for us,\u201d Blashill said. \u201cSome nights he\u2019s going to play more than others. That\u2019s the reality of where our situation is. Some nights, certain guys are playing really good hockey and they\u2019ll get more minutes \u2014 that\u2019s why we\u2019re dressing seven [defensemen]. Some nights, they\u2019re not [playing well], and Connor gets more minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murphy has notably played the least of the seven defensemen in three straight games. Louis Crevier and veteran Matt Grzelcyk have surpassed him in the pecking order.<\/p>\n

Rookie Artyom Levshunov\u2019s steady improvement has mattered, too. The seven-defenseman lineups<\/a> were instituted in part to shelter him, but as he improves his decision-making and learns how to succeed in the NHL, they\u2019ll become less necessary. Levshunov had an assist in three straight games before Monday, then played a season-high 19:09 in Seattle as the Hawks held a 16-5 advantage in scoring chances during his ice time. He\u2019s on a promising track.<\/p>\n

So what will the Hawks do with Murphy? In the short term, Blashill has a tricky situation on his hands.<\/p>\n

Long-term, it seems increasingly likely this will be Murphy\u2019s final season in Chicago. His contract is set to expire, and it\u2019s possible he could be shopped before the March 6 trade deadline if he stays healthy and retains some value.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Kyle<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hawks\u2019 general manager shared his thoughts Monday on the Hawks\u2019 competitive start, Bedard\u2019s next-level play, coach Jeff Blashill\u2019s first month and more.<\/p>\n

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\"Blackhawks<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hawks weren\u2019t able to penetrate a tough defense in a 3-1 defeat Monday that kept them winless on the road trip.<\/p>\n

[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]
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\"Oliver<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

With nine points in nine games for Rockford, Moore earned a call-up. He made his Hawks season debut Monday against the Kraken.<\/p>\n

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