A veteran defenseman's time in Chicago is ticking, and the writing is on the wall. Connor Murphy, the Blackhawks' longest-serving player, is facing a stark reality as his playing time takes a nosedive. In a recent game against the Seattle Kraken, Murphy's ice time plummeted to a mere 8:30, the lowest of his career when not injured. This dramatic decrease in workload is a far cry from last season, where he averaged over 20 minutes per game when healthy.
Despite being an alternate captain and known for his selflessness, Murphy's amicable tone belies a clear dissatisfaction. "Every player wants more ice time," he acknowledged. "But I understand there are decisions to be made. Our defense is playing well, and I can't argue with that."
Murphy's groin condition, osteitis pubis, has plagued him for the past two seasons, but he insists it's not an issue now. However, his age and lack of agility make him a misfit in Coach Jeff Blashill's aggressive system, leading to struggles on the ice. The numbers don't lie: the Hawks have been outscored 5-2 with a dismal 38.9% scoring-chance ratio during Murphy's five-on-five time.
Blashill and Murphy have discussed the situation, with the coach acknowledging Murphy's leadership and good play. "Some nights, certain guys play better, and they get more minutes," Blashill explained. "That's why we dress seven defensemen."
The seven-defensemen lineups have certainly impacted Murphy's playing time, especially with the emergence of rookie Artyom Levshunov. Levshunov's steady improvement means the Hawks can rely less on sheltering him, and his ice time has increased accordingly.
So, what's next for Murphy? In the short term, Blashill faces a tricky situation. Long-term, it seems Murphy's time in Chicago is coming to an end. His contract is up, and if he stays healthy, he could be traded before the March 6 deadline. The defensive youth movement is taking over, and the old guard may soon be a thing of the past.
As the Blackhawks navigate this transition, one thing is clear: change is inevitable, and the future of the defense lies with the next generation.
