Connor Murphy Emerges as Key Blackhawks Trade Candidate

As the NHL trade deadline approaches, connor murphy remains one of the Chicago Blackhawks players most widely viewed as movable, a development that could reshape the club’s roster flexibility as the team balances re-signing Ilya Mikheyev against potential departures.

Mikheyev’s re-signing or trade outlook

The Blackhawks prize Ilya Mikheyev’s penalty-killing and defensive work, and the club has tried to re-sign him while his current contract is expiring. He averages 2: 48 shorthanded minutes per game and allows about 5. 15 goals against per 60 minutes; an analytics model ranks him among the most impactful shorthanded forwards in the league. Chicago has offered an extension likely above his current $4, 037, 500 cap hit on a short-term basis, but Mikheyev has not agreed, and his agent declined comment when asked if a deal could still be reached.

Connor Murphy: trade market interest

It has been assumed that Connor Murphy is among the Blackhawks likeliest trade candidates before Friday’s deadline. Teams looking for a right-shot defenseman and penalty-killing depth have been linked to Murphy. In 58 games this season he has recorded four goals, eight assists and 12 points, with 84 blocks, figures that underline his role as a veteran blueliner who can anchor a lower pairing and contribute on the kill. If no extension for Mikheyev is finalized, the front office would be more likely to listen on multiple veterans, with Murphy high on that list.

Sabres interest and roster fits

The Sabres have been named among clubs that could pursue Chicago players this month. They would see Connor Murphy as a fit for right-side defensive depth and penalty killing; his profile matches the kind of veteran presence that would slot into a bottom pairing. On the forward side, Ilya Mikheyev figures as a possible depth winger: in 53 games this season he has 11 goals, 12 assists and 23 points, and his speed and shorthanded ability would address late-game and special-teams needs for a playoff push.

Cap space and roster constraints

Cap and roster architecture will drive choices. The Blackhawks currently have payroll room and appear open to paying Mikheyev a modest raise to keep him as a third- or fourth-line option. At the same time, the club has only two remaining salary-retention slots available; they remain responsible for a portion of another veteran’s cap hit, which limits how many incoming deals can include retention. Those retention limits will matter if teams ask Chicago to retain salary in exchange for veterans like Murphy or Mikheyev.

What to watch before the deadline

Key variables that will determine moves over the next days include whether Mikheyev signs an extension and how aggressively interested clubs value Connor Murphy’s defensive and penalty-killing contributions. If Mikheyev remains unsigned and a trade offer materializes, the Blackhawks appear likely to entertain calls. Conversely, a late extension for Mikheyev would reduce the urgency to move other veterans and give both sides more time to negotiate.

Key takeaways

• Connor Murphy is widely viewed as a primary trade candidate for Chicago ahead of the deadline.
• Ilya Mikheyev’s special-teams value and modest salary make him a candidate to re-sign or, if unsigned, a tradable asset.
• Salary-retention limits and existing cap obligations will shape how many veterans the Blackhawks are able to move.