The Chicago Blackhawks have locked Connor Murphy, a key piece of their defense, to a four-year extension. The deal is worth $17.6 million and will see Murphy earning $4.4 million annually.
Murphy has been the leader for the Blackhawks on the blue line last season and a standout on what has been a questionable defense. He averaged 22:09 minutes on ice while contributing with three goals and 12 assists in 50 games.
“He has transformed into a defenseman capable of matching up with the opponent’s best players and someone we trust to help us preserve a lead in the final minutes,” said the team’s general manager Stan Bowman in a statement. “Connor’s voice carries weight in our locker room as a veteran presence, and we’re thrilled that his development and leadership will continue as a Blackhawk.”
Locking Murphy to a long-term contract is part of the Blackhawks’ efforts to build a formidable defense for the future. The franchise previously picked up four-time All-Star Seth Jones in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets while also adding veteran Jake McCabe in free agency.
Connor Murphy spent his early NHL career with the Arizona Coyotes, who drafted him 20th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to Chicago in 2017 as part of the deal that helped the Coyotes land Niklas Hjalmarsson. Murphy played 494 NHL games so far in his career and has 28 goals and 82 assists for a total of 110 points.
