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  "path": "/blackhawks/2026/03/02/blackhawks-trade-connor-murphy-oilers-stan-bowman-nhl-deadline",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-02T21:20:13.427Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Nine years ago, former <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks\" target=\"_blank\" >Blackhawks</a> general manager Stan Bowman made one of the few smart moves of his post-Stanley Cup era by acquiring defenseman Connor Murphy from the Coyotes.</p><p>On Monday, Bowman — now GM of the Oilers — acquired Murphy yet again, bringing to an end his lengthy Chicago stint four days before the 2026 NHL trade deadline.</p><p>The Hawks received a 2028 second-round draft pick from the Oilers for Murphy, a pending free agent, while retaining half of his $4.4 million salary-cap hit, insider Frank Seravalli reported.</p><p>A second-rounder always seemed like the largest realistic return, so current Hawks GM Kyle Davidson should be pleased with that. He has one salary-retention slot left to use this season.</p><p>It also makes sense for the Hawks to target picks years out from 2026, which they could use as trade chips of their own once they become a buyer. </p><p>Murphy, meanwhile, had seen the writing on the wall for months and recently admitted to <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/02/26/blackhawks-connor-murphy-nhl-trade-deadline-rumors-playoffs-allure\" target=\"_blank\" >feeling the allure</a> of the playoffs, having never competed in a real postseason (only in the COVID bubble) as his 33rd birthday approaches later this month.</p><p>With the Oilers, he won't get a cake-walk to that stage, but he will have a good chance to make it — especially because his presence should improve their defense, which has been a major weakness this season.</p><p>At 29-24-8, the back-to-back defending Western Conference champions have actually lost more games than they've won this season, but they still occupy a wild-card spot (based on points percentage) at the moment.</p><p>For the Hawks, Murphy's departure should allow rookies Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel to both remain in the lineup and gain NHL experience consistently down the stretch, even once Wyatt Kaiser returns later this week from his knee injury.</p><p>Matt Grzelcyk, another pending free agent, is their only veteran left on defense. Next season, their eldest statesman on the back end might be Alex Vlasic, at all of 25 years old (come June).</p><p>Murphy boosted his value with a strong performance over the last couple months, playing his usual solid defense and also building up a rare bit of offensive confidence. His ice time bottomed out in November but rose significantly after that.</p><p>He's <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/01/28/blackhawks-connor-murphy-reflects-on-tenure-chicago-home-patience\" target=\"_blank\" >vocal about his love</a> for the city of Chicago and has been heavily involved in community-service initiatives, so it wouldn't be surprising if he moved back once he retires. That's probably a few years away, though.</p><p>\"I’ve been here nine years, and I feel like a Blackhawk to the core,\" Murphy said in January. \"I feel like I’ve gotten so close to the staff and the city. It’s home. It’s where my wife is from. We had our kid and got married here. I’ve always envisioned how unbelievable it would be to have success in a city like this.</p><p>\"You want it to be forever, but you know [it won’t be] when you see the reality of other players that have been traded. I’ve prepared myself over the last years of knowing that it is a business and that, someday, that day will come.\"</p><p><i>This story will be updated.</i></p>",
  "title": "Blackhawks reportedly trade Connor Murphy to Oilers, ending his nine-year Chicago run before deadline",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-02T21:20:13.427Z"
}