Connor Murphy's playing time with the Blackhawks is plummeting, raising questions about his future with the team. It's a stark contrast to his earlier seasons, and the shift is hard to ignore.
Back in November 2021, when the Blackhawks first visited Seattle, veteran defenseman Connor Murphy was on the ice for a substantial 22 minutes and 30 seconds. During the 2021-22 season, he exceeded the 22-minute mark in 33 games, shortly after signing a four-year contract extension.
However, things have changed dramatically. Even as the team's longest-tenured player, Murphy's role has diminished significantly. In a recent game against Seattle, he played only 8 minutes and 30 seconds, the least ice time of his career when not injured, with only three shifts in the third period.
Over the last five games, his average ice time is barely 12 minutes, a significant drop from last season, where he averaged over 20 minutes when healthy.
When asked about the situation, Murphy maintained a composed demeanor, but it's clear he's not thrilled. He acknowledged that every player wants more playing time, but he understands the decisions made by the coaching staff. He believes that the other defensemen are playing well, making it difficult to argue for more ice time. He also stated that he is trying to make the most of the opportunities he gets.
Murphy's groin condition, osteitis pubis, has sidelined him for significant portions of the last two seasons, but he insists it's not currently hindering him. However, his lack of speed and agility at his age doesn't fit well with coach Jeff Blashill's aggressive systems, leading to struggles on the ice. The Blackhawks have been outscored 5-2, with a scoring-chance ratio of only 38.9% during his five-on-five ice time.
Blashill and Murphy discussed the situation before the Kraken game. Blashill acknowledged Murphy's leadership and contributions, but also highlighted that playing time varies based on performance. The team's strategy of dressing seven defensemen also plays a role, with Murphy notably playing the least of the seven defensemen in three consecutive games. But here's where it gets controversial...
Rookie Artyom Levshunov's improvement is also a factor. The seven-defensemen lineups were partly implemented to protect him, but as he develops, they become less necessary. Levshunov has been performing well, recording an assist in three straight games before playing a season-high 19 minutes and 9 seconds in Seattle.
And this is the part most people miss... What will the Blackhawks do with Murphy moving forward? In the short term, Blashill faces a tricky situation. Long-term, it's likely this will be Murphy's final season in Chicago. His contract is expiring, and he could be traded before the March 6 deadline if he remains healthy and retains value. The team's defensive youth movement is poised to take over, potentially pushing out the last member of the old guard.
What do you think about the shift in Murphy's role? Do you believe it's the right move for the team? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
