Salary would work out and unless Murphy is going to play every night, he should be on the trading block IMO. Galchenyuk is HIGHLY skilled with the puck and Patty Kane would be ecstatic to add a talent like that to his line.
- EnzoD

Chuk 8 88

Would allow Hartman to bump down to the 3rd line making that line even better.

10 15 38. Would give us 3 legit scoring lines.

Murphy for Galchenyuk??
- EnzoD

Done.
I'm available to drive Murph to the airport.

Tho, I'd much prefer the Hawks pick up a legit Dman.

Salary would work out and unless Murphy is going to play every night, he should be on the trading block IMO. Galchenyuk is HIGHLY skilled with the puck and Patty Kane would be ecstatic to add a talent like that to his line.
- EnzoD

Took Oduya basically a year to figure it out and go from the pizza man into a top shut down guy.

7 games in for a young player in an actually structured system on a team that has expectations. Give the dude a break.

Hino and AA for Galchenyuk

Salary would work out and unless Murphy is going to play every night, he should be on the trading block IMO. Galchenyuk is HIGHLY skilled with the puck and Patty Kane would be ecstatic to add a talent like that to his line.
- EnzoD

Don't you think it would be a good idea to give Ulf and Q more than 6 games to develop Murphy's assets (size, speed, hitting,youth, all of which after watching the Nashvile series, most of us thought the Hawks D badly needed)? Don't forget most Dmen attain their highest level around age 26-27 and thereafter get better with experience (at least until they start to decline in their 30s like Seebs, who was a great player and leader for the Hawks in their glory years.)

When the Hawks played in Montreal, I listened in the car and it was the Habs feed. During the period break, they were all over Galchenyuk. 100% negative on him. To be clear I am not advocating trading Murph. It is way early, but for some reason he is in Q's dog house. When JO first got here, he struggled but Q continued to play him.

Would not be unreasonable to think Q is not happy with the trade of Hammer and Murph is on a 4 inch leash.

Took Oduya basically a year to figure it out and go from the pizza man into a top shut down guy.

7 games in for a young player in an actually structured system on a team that has expectations. Give the dude a break.
- fattybeef

I have not been overly critical of Murphy, and I'm just saying the Salary and talent would be a fair trade. However, Murphy has been a healthy scratch 2 of the last 3 games and is barely seeing 15minutes of ice in the games he played. If Galchenyuk is on the trade block, that is a #3 overall pick with 70 point upside and a decently high floor. Murphy seems to be getting the Nick Leddy treatment thus far, and we all know how that turned out for the Hawks....

Murphy for Galchenyuk??
- EnzoD

With the emergence of Mete + Schlemko coming back from IR (which forced their hand with Streit, who has since terminated his contract with MTL), I don't think they are looking for D.

AA + Hino/Fortin/pick for Galchenyuk

... that makes sense for what MB might be looking for. He needs GOALS and offensive skill to bail Price out.

They have Cap Space, so who knows what he does next.

Don't you think it would be a good idea to give Ulf and Q more than 6 games to develop Murphy's assets (size, speed, hitting,youth, all of which after watching the Nashvile series, most of us thought the Hawks D badly needed)? Don't forget most Dmen attain their highest level around age 26-27 and thereafter get better with experience (at least until they start to decline in their 30s like Seebs, who was a great player and leader for the Hawks in their glory years.)
- BMWChiFan

That's very true. But, for Murphy to develop, he needs to play. And, Q isn't playing him--for whatever reason. (maybe because he doesn't have "hockey instincts")
If he's not going to play it might be a good idea to see what his value is, in a trade.

Some good stuff from Friedman here on Dent:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...nning-high-slow-starters/


Plus... this about Murphy:

8. Boy, Connor Murphy is in a tough spot. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville has sat him twice, and, as it stands, he’s battling with Cody Franson for the third spot on the right side, behind Brent Seabrook and Jan Rutta. The difficult thing for Murphy is he’s kind of like Shea Weber was last year, a guy who becomes a political football without asking for any of it. It’s no secret the Blackhawks internally were split on the Niklas Hjalmarsson deal.

Weber is one tough SOB and a top-pair defender. Murphy is a really nice guy, but sensitive and feeling his way. He told a funny story when the Blackhawks came through Toronto, saying that when Coyotes GM John Chayka called to tell him he was traded, he thought Chayka “was calling to ask me my opinion on someone he was thinking of getting. Once I got through the (trade) deadline, I didn’t see it coming.”

You can tell he’s uncomfortable, worried about making a mistake. It’s very hard to play like that. With the pressure this season in Chicago, the Blackhawks’ coaches can’t wait for him to tiptoe into the pool.

Question, spit balling here. Would you trade Anisimov to Montreal for Shaw? Would Montreal do that deal? What would be the positives and negatives of that deal? I know Shaw has a longer deal at less money which would likely be something Bowman might find attractive. Again, just spit balling, so be nice.
- onehundredlevel

No. no, no, and nooooooo.....

Some good stuff from Friedman here on Dent:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...nning-high-slow-starters/


Plus... this about Murphy:

8. Boy, Connor Murphy is in a tough spot. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville has sat him twice, and, as it stands, he’s battling with Cody Franson for the third spot on the right side, behind Brent Seabrook and Jan Rutta. The difficult thing for Murphy is he’s kind of like Shea Weber was last year, a guy who becomes a political football without asking for any of it. It’s no secret the Blackhawks internally were split on the Niklas Hjalmarsson deal.

Weber is one tough SOB and a top-pair defender. Murphy is a really nice guy, but sensitive and feeling his way. He told a funny story when the Blackhawks came through Toronto, saying that when Coyotes GM John Chayka called to tell him he was traded, he thought Chayka “was calling to ask me my opinion on someone he was thinking of getting. Once I got through the (trade) deadline, I didn’t see it coming.”

You can tell he’s uncomfortable, worried about making a mistake. It’s very hard to play like that. With the pressure this season in Chicago, the Blackhawks’ coaches can’t wait for him to tiptoe into the pool.
- TyCamScore

And here is where the so-called "false narrative" about Q not having patience with young players comes from. Gustav Forsling has a long leash, but Connor Murphy does not? Why is there some leeway for certain players, and none for others? This is eerily similar to the Nick Leddy situation, where it was OBVIOUS Nick was afraid to make a mistake as Q's choke collar leash was ever so short. Without that leash around his neck, Leddy has been a Top Pair 25 minute per night defenseman. If Q doesnt like Murphy and wont play him, then see what you can get for him in trade. Duchene, Galchenyuk, E.Kane,ect.....

4-1-1...what problem?
- onehundredlevel

because it's not 100-0 with six games played

I have not been overly critical of Murphy, and I'm just saying the Salary and talent would be a fair trade. However, Murphy has been a healthy scratch 2 of the last 3 games and is barely seeing 15minutes of ice in the games he played. If Galchenyuk is on the trade block, that is a #3 overall pick with 70 point upside and a decently high floor. Murphy seems to be getting the Nick Leddy treatment thus far, and we all know how that turned out for the Hawks....
- EnzoD

A Stanley Cup and a conference final?

A Stanley Cup and a conference final?
- fattybeef

Relative to the trade of Nick Leddy it got us career AHL player Ville Pokka.

And here is where the so-called "false narrative" about Q not having patience with young players comes from. Gustav Forsling has a long leash, but Connor Murphy does not? Why is there some leeway for certain players, and none for others? This is eerily similar to the Nick Leddy situation, where it was OBVIOUS Nick was afraid to make a mistake as Q's choke collar leash was ever so short. Without that leash around his neck, Leddy has been a Top Pair 25 minute per night defenseman. If Q doesnt like Murphy and wont play him, then see what you can get for him in trade. Duchene, Galchenyuk, E.Kane,ect.....
- EnzoD

Eh, Franson also needs minutes at some point and Rutta has been probably the best guy on the right side and Seabs isn't going to sit if they need points.

I think there is a lot of over analysis going on there. All these guys will get their chances and their spells and it'll be fine. Playing a few and watching a few for a player trying to get acclimated isn't the worst situation and they're not hurting for points.

Kempny got that treatment last year and is now playing every game. Forsling was backsy forthsy last year. There aren't new things going on right now. Its not like Daley where he looked completely lost, he's been completely unnoticeable and I think that is a fair start.

Eh, Franson also needs minutes at some point and Rutta has been probably the best guy on the right side and Seabs isn't going to sit if they need points.

I think there is a lot of over analysis going on there. All these guys will get their chances and their spells and it'll be fine. Playing a few and watching a few for a player trying to get acclimated isn't the worst situation and they're not hurting for points.

Kempny got that treatment last year and is now playing every game. Forsling was backsy forthsy last year. There aren't new things going on right now. Its not like Daley where he looked completely lost, he's been completely unnoticeable and I think that is a fair start.
- fattybeef

I hear you and agree with you. I was simply making a hypothetical trade suggestion (it's kinda my thing). I just picked up Rutta for my Fantasy Hockey League and he has been outstanding for his first ever NHL action. Franson has been serviceable and Murphy may now be a trade chip for Bowman. Not advocating a trade or saying he SHOULD trade Murphy, but that is the kind of NHL-ready prospect to build a trade package around that might land the Hawks Duchene, Galchenyuk or E.Kane. Just trying to start a conversation, but I have not hated Murphy's game thus far.

EDIT: Does anyone have the full lineup projections for tonight? I'd like to see Murphy's physicality tonight against STL.

Does anyone have the full lineup projections for tonight? I'd like to see Murphy's physicality tonight against STL.
- EnzoD

From NHL.com:

Blackhawks projected lineup  
Brandon Saad -- Jonathan Toews -- Richard Panik
Ryan Hartman -- Nick Schmaltz -- Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp -- Artem Anisimov -- Alex DeBrincat
Lance Bouma -- Tommy Wingels -- John Hayden
Duncan Keith -- Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling -- Jan Rutta
Michal Kempny -- Connor Murphy
Corey Crawford
Anton Forsberg
Scratched: Cody Franson, Jordan Oesterle, Tanner Kero
Injured: None
 
Blues projected lineup
Alexander Steen -- Paul Stastny -- Vladimir Tarasenko
Jaden Schwartz -- Brayden Schenn -- Sammy Blais
Magnus Paajarvi -- Ivan Barbashev -- Vladimir Sobotka
Scottie Upshall -- Kyle Brodziak -- Dmitrij Jaskin
Carl Gunnarsson -- Alex Pietrangelo
Joel Edmundson -- Colton Parayko
Vince Dunn -- Robert Bortuzzo
Jake Allen
Carter Hutton
Scratched: Chris Thorburn, Oskar Sundqvist, Nate Prosser
Injured: Jay Bouwmeester (ankle), Patrik Berglund (shoulder), Zach Sanford (shoulder)

When the Hawks played in Montreal, I listened in the car and it was the Habs feed. During the period break, they were all over Galchenyuk. 100% negative on him. To be clear I am not advocating trading Murph. It is way early, but for some reason he is in Q's dog house. When JO first got here, he struggled but Q continued to play him.

Would not be unreasonable to think Q is not happy with the trade of Hammer and Murph is on a 4 inch leash.
- z1990z

Galchenyuk was a total dog in the game against the Hawks. Noticeably lazy.

From NHL.com:

Blackhawks projected lineup  
Brandon Saad -- Jonathan Toews -- Richard Panik
Ryan Hartman -- Nick Schmaltz -- Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp -- Artem Anisimov -- Alex DeBrincat
Lance Bouma -- Tommy Wingels -- John Hayden
Duncan Keith -- Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling -- Jan Rutta
Michal Kempny -- Connor Murphy
Corey Crawford
Anton Forsberg
Scratched: Cody Franson, Jordan Oesterle, Tanner Kero
Injured: None
 
Blues projected lineup
Alexander Steen -- Paul Stastny -- Vladimir Tarasenko
Jaden Schwartz -- Brayden Schenn -- Sammy Blais
Magnus Paajarvi -- Ivan Barbashev -- Vladimir Sobotka
Scottie Upshall -- Kyle Brodziak -- Dmitrij Jaskin
Carl Gunnarsson -- Alex Pietrangelo
Joel Edmundson -- Colton Parayko
Vince Dunn -- Robert Bortuzzo
Jake Allen
Carter Hutton
Scratched: Chris Thorburn, Oskar Sundqvist, Nate Prosser
Injured: Jay Bouwmeester (ankle), Patrik Berglund (shoulder), Zach Sanford (shoulder)
- gmurban

Thanks bud! Glad to see Murphy back in the lineup. That is a GRINDER looking forward group for STL beyond Steen, Schwartz and Tarsenko. Who is this Sammy Blais guy?? Rookie??

Eh, Franson also needs minutes at some point and Rutta has been probably the best guy on the right side and Seabs isn't going to sit if they need points.

I think there is a lot of over analysis going on there. All these guys will get their chances and their spells and it'll be fine. Playing a few and watching a few for a player trying to get acclimated isn't the worst situation and they're not hurting for points.

Kempny got that treatment last year and is now playing every game. Forsling was backsy forthsy last year. There aren't new things going on right now. Its not like Daley where he looked completely lost, he's been completely unnoticeable and I think that is a fair start.
- fattybeef

i agree 100%. Daley didn't want to change his rover game to emphasize defense first.

There is nothing wrong with the veteran defenseman on the team and how they have played.

It is exciting how game by game the young defender guys we were worried were going to fall on their faces have persevered and improved to bind with the quick pace the forwards can play and battle hard for 60 minutes.

No one can tell the future demise of any veteran player in this young man's nhl.

One thing I am certain of is smart defenders who use their stick skills can still play long into their late 30's just like in the old days...

Who is this Sammy Blais guy?? Rookie??
- EnzoD

He's a guy the Blues drafted late about three / four years ago....he was a standout Quebec league player from the same team Phillip Danault played for-Victoriaville.
He wasa solid offensive player there who continued to improve his two way game. He is a bout 5 10 (maybe) and light, maybe under 170, but looked like a pretty well rounded player with the Chicago Wolves.
It s an injury call up to reward his fast start on the AHL San Antonio farm team...

He's a guy the Blues drafted late about three / four years ago....he was a standout Quebec league player from the same team Phillip Danault played for-Victoriaville.
He wasa solid offensive player there who continued to improve his two way game. He is a bout 5 10 (maybe) and light, maybe under 170, but looked like a pretty well rounded player with the Chicago Wolves.
It s an injury call up to reward his fast start on the AHL San Antonio farm team...
- wiz1901

Thanks Wiz!

With the emergence of Mete + Schlemko coming back from IR (which forced their hand with Streit, who has since terminated his contract with MTL), I don't think they are looking for D.

AA + Hino/Fortin/pick for Galchenyuk

... that makes sense for what MB might be looking for. He needs GOALS and offensive skill to bail Price out.

They have Cap Space, so who knows what he does next.
- TyCamScore

That is RIDICULOUS. ....HUGE overpay.
NO !!!!