Blackhawks proposed trade could lead to bigger things

The Chicago Blackhawks enter the NHL trade deadline in relatively new territory. Unlike the last few seasons, Chicago won’t be a natural seller. If anything, the Blackhawks could be just standing pat. There’s nothing wrong with sidestepping the deadline carnage if there isn’t anything meaningful to be had.

But there might actually be an interesting deal to consider. According to a proposed trade in The Athletic, the Blackhawks could be sending impending UFA Connor Murphy to the Buffalo Sabres. Murphy trade rumors are nothing new this season. In fact, Murphy’s name has been the most prominent trade chip on the market all season.

The veteran blueliner is the sort of depth piece the upstart Sabres are looking for. As such, Buffalo would be encouraged to pull the trigger. 

But here’s where things get even more intriguing. The proposed return for Murphy is a second-round pick. That’s actually not bad considering that Murphy doesn’t offer much in the way of offense, and he’s not precisely the most physical blueliner. Sure, he’s a reliable defender, but not the type of shutdown blueliner contenders look for.

When looking at the broader picture, landing a second-round pick for Murphy wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. The Blackhawks can then take that pick and either use it or flip it as part of a larger trade.

Why not? The Blackhawks are entering territory in which they’ll need to think about upgrades to support Connor Bedard sooner rather than later. That’s why stocking up on flippable assets could be the new normal for Chicago moving forward.

Blackhawks not punting on the season

The thought of punting on the season isn’t precisely the rationale behind this trade. One of the narratives surrounding a Murphy trade is giving the veteran blueliner a chance to play in the postseason. The Sabres seem poised to return to the playoffs for the first time in nearly 15 years. That’s the sort of situation that Murphy could find enticing.

Unless Murphy somehow fits into the Blackhawks plans moving forward, the best course of action would be to trade him. Of course, it’s evident that Murphy will eventually be squeezed out of Chicago’s blue line. The bevy of prospects graduating to the NHL will make it hard for the veteran to crack the lineup. That’s why moving onto another club like Buffalo would offer Murphy the best opportunity to continue his NHL career.

Plus, adding a second-round pick could become another savvy move. Who knows what could come of that pick. Even if it’s a high second-rounder, there’s always the possibility the Blackhawks could land another serviceable NHLer. 

If this trade is actually plausible, the Blackhawks could remiss if they didn’t pull the trigger.