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Chicago Blackhawks defenseman hints at wanting a trade out of the organization: Maple Leafs linked

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Joshua Deeds
September 27, 2025 (3:27 PM)

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With Defenseman Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks wanting to compete in the playoffs, one team that Kyle Davidson could work with in trade for the defenseman is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy was interviewed by Mark Lazerus of The Athletic recently.

The narrative that stuck out the most was Murphy's desire to win a Stanley Cup or compete for one.

As the Blackhawks' longest-tenured player, this will be his ninth year with the team, and could it be his last?

Murphy has played 745 games in the NHL, split between the Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks. Yet he's never suited up for a contending NHL organization; that could happen now, if he forces Davidson's hand (we've seen this with Seth Jones).

The Boston-born defenseman could be a target for one NHL contender, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are in need of a shutdown defenseman like Murphy.

"That's what ate me up the most in the Winter Classic last year," Murphy said. "We were having a losing season again, but we had this big stage to put on a show and maybe get a win and get the city's camaraderie up a bit, and it just didn't happen. That ate at me. Knowing the season's going a certain way and you're not going to be able to make the playoffs is one thing, but not even being able to put on a show for that one night was (tough).

"That's what's eaten at me the most - so many years of not being able to be that team, to be the ones everyone's following and rooting for more than all the other teams."

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Connor Murphy is A Gritty Defenseman Who Contenders Love

Murphy is a gritty, shutdown defenseman who could offer teams reliable play and punishing hits on the blue line as we've seen above.

His $4.4 million average annual value contract would be a bargain for someone like the Toronto Maple Leafs, with whom the Blackhawks have a history of trades. He could be an ideal option on the Leafs, who are missing Simon Benoit, due to dealing with an upper-body injury lingering from last year.

He could be a player who changes the team's fortunes after being pushed out of the Eastern Conference playoffs by the Florida Panthers, who'd win their 2nd Stanley Cup that year.

In 68 games for the Blackhawks, he scored 19 points (2-17) and added 117 hits.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Blackhawks' early on regular season opponents receive grueling injury news

Blackhawks forward quietly underwent offseason surgery and will play through a major health battle

Chicago Blackhawks head coach addresses a Connor Bedard move that would be crucial for his game

POLL
SEPTEMBRE 27 \| 139 ANSWERS Chicago Blackhawks defenseman hints at wanting a trade out of the organization: Maple Leafs linked Will defenseman Connor Murphy be traded by the Chicago Blackhawks this season?
Yes	105	75.5 %
No	34	24.5 %
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Chicago Blackhawks defenseman hints at wanting a trade out of the organization: Maple Leafs linked

With Defenseman Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks wanting to compete in the playoffs, one team that Kyle Davidson could work with in trade for the defenseman is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Connor Murphy is A Gritty Defenseman Who Contenders Love

Will defenseman Connor Murphy be traded by the Chicago Blackhawks this season?