While some players look for the exit, Connor Murphy has made it clear he wants to stay with the Chicago Blackhawks. Unlike Seth Jones, who forced his way out, Murphy has embraced his role as a veteran leader on the rebuilding squad.
However, his future in Chicago remains uncertain. According to The Athletic (subscription required), Murphy ranks as the 17th-best player available ahead of the NHL trade deadline. If he sticks around past Friday, he just sent a loud and clear message to a potential future teammate.
In the Blackhawks’ latest victory, Murphy absolutely demolished Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield with a textbook open-ice hit that left the crowd stunned.
Connor Murphy with a huge hit on Quinton Byfield 😳 pic.twitter.com/SR79Ru0LmW
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 4, 2025
Murphy didn’t just force a turnover he all but demanded the puck with that bone-crushing check.
Interestingly, Byfield has been linked to Chicago in trade talks. The Kings, reportedly seeking to bolster their top-six forwards, have shown interest in acquiring Ryan Donato, who is enjoying a career-best season. According to The LA Times, Los Angeles might be willing to part ways with their young center in the process.
Donato’s value is skyrocketing, thanks to his impressive five-on-five goal-scoring production.
Plenty of teams checking in on @NHLBlackhawks UFA F Donato. His 18 even-strength goals top three big-name team captains. #HockeyX #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/kCZn0sNL1g
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) March 3, 2025
Byfield, a skilled and physically imposing center, could significantly accelerate the Blackhawks’ rebuild. The 21-year-old has notched 11 goals and 23 assists this season after posting 20 goals and 35 assists last year. He’s in the first season of a five-year, $31.25 million contract with a $6.25 million cap hit.
Acquiring Byfield might require Chicago to sweeten the deal with draft capital alongside Donato, but locking in a young, high-upside center through 2029 would be well worth the price.
If the Blackhawks pull off the trade, one question lingers how will that first locker room encounter between Murphy and Byfield unfold? After all, Murphy just delivered the hockey equivalent of an NBA poster dunk, except in true NHL fashion through a monstrous open-ice collision.
