The Chicago Blackhawks made most of their moves during the season and it got the team players back like Joe Veleno and Spencer Knight. With the emergence of many of their young players and a number of veterans still signed for a year or more, there aren't too many more players that can be shipped out. One in particular is Connor Murphy though.
The Fourth Period lists Murphy as a top 20 trade candidate this offseason as the Blackhawks had looked at moving him during the season, but injuries got in the way. He has dealt with more injuries than just this season throughout his contract with Chicago.
The Blackhawks don't need to clear cap space as they have $29 million in projected cap space for next season, so to move Murphy, Chicago can retain. The Blackhawks are only using one of their retention spots, and if they use a second on Murphy, it won't be a burden for long with the veteran having one year left on his deal.
Murphy could be a solid third pairing d-man for a playoff team as he can play those minutes, but also move up if necessary.
The Blackhawks have Alex Vlasic, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Ethan Del Mastro, Wyatt Kaiser, and Louis Crevier, while also still having one year left of TJ Brodie if they don't buy him out. It makes sense to clear room on the back-end so some of the defensemen can have more playing time and also be in the NHL rather than the AHL.
The least likely outcome for Murphy is being re-signed by the Blackhawks. He's given a number of years of good service to the team, but the group is younger and will be able to get something back for him at a perfect time.
