Report: Former first round pick out of the lineup

When the Chicago Blackhawks acquired defenseman Connor Murphy from the Arizona Coyotes for Niklas Hjalmarsson this past summer, many were thinking that head coach Joel Quenneville would give him an important role. Suprisingly, that is not the case since the start of the season. Murphy did play four games with Chicago, but he was a healthy scratch for two of their last three games.

The Hawks did sign Cody Franson after he attempted training camp on a professional tryout. Quenneville also said that he likes what Jan Rutta, who’s playing his first NHL season at 27, brings to the team. Chicago’s bench boss also said that he might use seven defensemen at some point, but this situation would not be ideal because that would force him to use only 11 forwards.

Connor Murphy was drafted 20th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2011. In 262 games, the American defenseman registered 49 points.