Confirmed with Link: Blackhawks trade Hjalmarsson to Arizona for Connor Murphy & Laurent Dauphin

[ChiGuySez]

After the initial shock wears off...

age 24 (Murphy) v 30 (Hjalmarsson).

 

[HawksFan37]

I don't know much about Murphy, and will definitely give him a chance.

Feel bad for him though because this will be a tough spot for him to walk in to considering who he was traded for. Hope fans give him a fair shake and some patience because he's not going to replace Hammer over night.

 

[SAADfather]

Keith - Seabrook
Forsling - Murphy
Kempny - Rutta

I actually kind of like that. Younger and more mobile on the back end which was needed.

 

[ChiHawks10]

Keith - Seabrook
Forsling - Murphy
Kempny - Rutta

I actually kind of like that. Younger and more mobile on the back end which was needed.

I like it too. Looks pretty damn solid depending on what Forsling and Rutta provide.

 

[BK]

Advanced stats guys/gals will question this BUT they need to remember that playing in AZ is much different that Chicago due to the talent gap. Murphy should end up as a solid middle pairing guy for the Hawks.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Looks very shaky

- Seabrook will be bad ,, We all know it
- Kempny needs to clean his game up and stop with big mistakes
- Ruutu and Forsling are ?

 

[ChiGuySez]

I like it too. Looks pretty damn solid depending on what Forsling and Rutta provide.

Stan forced Qs hand on that. Q has no choice now. Power play made by Stan as Q walks out of meeting. Tippet available.

 

[ManChild20]

Well my favourite player traded away. Just great.

I'm with you brother

 

[Putt Pirate]

After the initial shock wears off...

age 24 (Murphy) v 30 (Hjalmarsson).

That is where I am. He was one of my favorites and a warrior. But it is a biz.

 

[coolhand]

I loved Hammer too, but the Hawks need to get younger, bigger, and faster. The blocked shots and wear and tear looked to me like it was taking it's toll on him and he just wasn't the same player.

He is fearless though, that's what I really liked about the guy.

 

[b1e9a8r5s]

Can Murphy play PP?

 

[JaegerDice]

This is a terrible trade. WTF...

Murphy is a 3rd pair D at best, and Hammer was arguably our 2nd best defender.

 

[SAADfather]

Hammer probably instantly wears an "A" in AZ right?

 

[BK]

This is a terrible trade. WTF...

Called it.

Chicago will be a much different place to play JD. Sum of the parts. Give this time, trust me.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Hope the hell this turns out better then last time Stanley traded for a Yote defender he "coveted" for years

 

[SAADfather]

He coveted Anismov for years to play with Kane and he fit like a glove...

 

[Putt Pirate]

Hope the hell this turns out better then last time Stanley traded for a Yote defender he "coveted" for years

At least he isn't Swedish lol! And we still have to wait for Q to hold a grudge against him to ruin his confidence.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

This is a terrible trade. WTF...

Murphy is a 3rd pair D at best, and Hammer was arguably our 2nd best defender.

^
Even I didn't claim Murphy was a 3rd pair guy

#4 yes ,, Too good for 3rd pair

 

[SAADfather]

This is a terrible trade. WTF...

Murphy is a 3rd pair D at best, and Hammer was arguably our 2nd best defender.

This is a perfect example of why advanced stats don't tell the entire story. Come on JD, third pair player at best?

 

[ChiGuySez]

Dont have complete confidence in Stans trades. Why does Runbad keep flashing through my mind. Not saying Murphy is Runblad but...

Murphy is ripped though. Just hope it isnt a case of look like Tarzan, play like Jane.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Dont have complete confidence in Stans trades. Why does Runbad keep flashing through my mind. Not saying Murphy is Runblad but...

Murphy is ripped though. Just hope it isnt a case of look like Tarzan, play like Jane.

Likely result of how many he has been on losing end of in recent years

 

[hockeydoug]

This team wasn't going to contend in 18' and Hjalmarsson's game drops off a cliff if he loses a step since he can't do much in the offensive zone in my opinion. Hammer was one of my favorite Hawks, but I have been dreading what he's going to look like and what he's going to want get paid at the end of his current contract.

My only issue with the return is Murphy's health, he's got to clean up some of the unnecessary/non useful abrasiveness so he stays on the ice and is 100% going into the spring. He skates pretty well imo, I think he will evolve defensively.

I'm pretty upbeat about the trade, I don't think Hjalmarsson is going to be worth nearly as much next summer and I'm not convinced he can help the team win long term at a big cap hit.

If I thought they were in a spot to better contend in 18', this trade might upset me. Given the circumstances, it's a gamble but it's an equal gamble (for me) to bank on Hjalmarsson maintaining his level of play.

Besides, this is much more fun than dumping a player just for cap room.

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

This is a terrible trade. WTF...

Murphy is a 3rd pair D at best, and Hammer was arguably our 2nd best defender.

So, a guy who hits 4x as much as Hammer, blocks a small percentage less, and averaged 2 min less of total ice time on a much weaker team is a third pairing guy?

Gimmie a break

 

[Toews2Bickell]

I seem to remember when Murphy resigned at that term/cap hit the mainboards was praising Chayka. Now he sucks?

 

[piteus]

Part of being good management is being proactive. Would you rather see the Blackhawks act like the Bulls, White Sox, or Bears. Those franchises are always reacting ... settling for good enough. Sometimes you have to go nuclear like Theo Epstein did.

Rocky Wirtz isn't willing to settle for mediocrity. He's willing to take chances. If it fails, he'll order another code red. I can appreciate that as a fan. He's not scared to fail. He's a good owner.