CONNOR MURPHY NEWS

Adds helper Wednesday Murphy posted an assist, two hits and three blocked shots in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Red Wings.

Impact Murphy had opened November with a pair of scoreless efforts before assisting on a Nick Foligno goal Wednesday. Through 14 contests, Murphy has seven helpers -- putting him one point shy of matching last year's offensive output from 46 games. He's added 18 hits, 31 blocked shots, 21 PIM and 15 shots on net in 2024-25. Murphy is seeing top-four minutes, and while the offense is unlikely to last, his non-scoring production could be useful in deeper formats.

NOVEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Plucks pair of apples Murphy recorded two assists and went plus-2 in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Sharks.

Impact Murphy had a hand in goals by Ryan Donato and Tyler Bertuzzi as the Blackhawks took a 2-1 lead in the first period, though it didn't last. This was Murphy's first multi-point effort since Dec. 21, 2022. He's picked up all six of his helpers this season over the last six games, and he's added a plus-3 rating, 12 shots on net, 12 hits, 19 PIM and 21 blocked shots across 11 appearances. Murphy should continue to see top-four minutes on a young blue line, but his scoring productivity won't last.

NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Will Smith scores twice for first NHL goals, Sharks beat Blackhawks 3-2 for third straight win

Will Smith scored twice for his first NHL goals, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2

NOVEMBER 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pockets assist in win Murphy notched an assist, two PIM, two hits and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche.

Impact Murphy is on a surprisingly strong run, earning all four of his assists this season over the last five games. The 31-year-old blueliner typically doesn't chip in offense that frequently while playing in a shutdown role. For the season, he's added 20 blocked shots, 19 PIM, 14 hits, 12 shots on net and a plus-1 rating over 10 contests while averaging 18:08 of ice time, down from 19:50 per game last season.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Slides helper Friday Murphy notched an assist and two PIM in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Predators.

Impact Murphy has earned an assist in three straight games. The 31-year-old defenseman doesn't produce offense with that consistency, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to keep it going. He's recorded three helpers, 11 shots on net, 15 PIM, nine hits and 15 blocked shots across eight contests this season.

OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Collects assist in loss Murphy notched an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Sabres.

Impact Murphy earned his first point of the year on the second of Craig Smith's two goals in the game. The 31-year-old Murphy doesn't often put up much offense, instead adding mostly physical production, though he had no hits or blocked shots Saturday. The veteran blueliner has seven hits, 14 blocks, 11 PIM, seven shots on net and a minus-1 rating through six outings this season. Over the last 10 campaigns, he's reached 100 hits in all 10 years and fell short of 100 blocks just once in that span. Murphy has never produced a 20-point campaign.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

On training camp roster Murphy is healthy and will be participating in training camp, the team announced Tuesday.

Impact Murphy missed the regular-season finale in 2023-24 due to an undisclosed injury. It's not clear whether or not this issue was related to Murphy's groin injury that kept him out of the lineup from mid-January to the beginning of April. Either way, the 11-year NHL veteran should fill a bottom-four role on defense while also serving on the penalty kill. The 31-year-old defenseman has collected 141 points throughout his career in 677 regular-season appearances.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss season finale Murphy (undisclosed) will miss the season finale against LA on Thursday because he tweaked something during Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Vegas, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Impact It's unclear if Murphy's current issue is related to the groin injury that kept him out of the lineup from Jan. 16-April 10. Either way, he will conclude the campaign with two goals, eight points, 40 PIM, 116 hits and 113 blocks in 46 appearances. Murphy is inked to a four-year, $17.6 million contract through 2025-26, so he should feature on the Blackhawks' blue line again next season, potentially in one of the top-two pairings.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

Activated off injured reserve Murphy (groin) has been taken off injured reserve ahead of Friday's matchup with Nashville.

Impact Murphy looks set to return to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 13 against Dallas, a stretch of 35 games on injured reserve. The defenseman will likely slot into Nikita Zaitsev's spot on the blue line, though that may depend on whether the Hawks decide to give Ethan Del Mastro his NHL debut.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Not ready to return Murphy (groin) won't be available Wednesday against St. Louis, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Impact Murphy, who will miss his 35th straight contest Wednesday, may be ready to return Friday versus Nashville. He has supplied two goals, eight points, 105 blocked shots and 106 hits in 43 appearances this season.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Targetting Wednesday return Murphy (groin) is hoping to rejoin the lineup against St. Louis on Wednesday, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Murphy won't be an option to face Dallas or Minnesota on Saturday or Sunday, respectively, but seems to be nearing a return to action. The blueliner has been shelved since Jan. 13 versus the Stars, a stretch of 32 games on IR due to his groin problem. If Murphy can pick up just two more points, he will reach the 10-point threshold for the ninth consecutive campaign.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Still without timeline Murphy (groin) remains out indefinitely with no clear time frame to get back into action, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports Tuesday.

Impact Murphy has already been out of the lineup for the last 13 games and looks no closer to actually returning to the ice. With just one goal and three assists in his last 16 outings, few fantasy players will be anxiously awaiting his return. Still, the blueliner could offer some value in formats that utilize hits and blocks.

FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IR Murphy (lower body) was moved to injured reserve Monday, per CapFriendly.

Impact Murphy has now missed four straight games so he'll be eligible to return once healthy, which could be as early as Wednesday in Seattle. He was placed on injured reserve to open a roster spot for Nick Foligno (finger), who is set to return Monday against Vancouver. Murphy has eight points in 43 games this season.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Hopeful to return on road trip Murphy (lower body) won't play Monday in Vancouver but could return this week during Chicago's four-game road trip, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Murphy has already missed three games with a lower-body injury, though it sounds like he could be nearing a return later in the week. The 30-year-old blueliner has eight points (two goals, six assists) with 93 hits and 105 blocked shots this season. Jared Tinordi will likely remain in the lineup until Murphy is ready to go.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Remains unavailable Murphy (lower body) will miss a second straight contest Thursday against the Sabres, NHL.com reports.

Impact Murphy's lower-body injury isn't believed to be overly serious, so he can be considered day-to-day for now. Either way, he's only picked up eight points through 43 contests this season, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to keep tabs on the 30-year-old defender's status.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with lower-body issue Murphy (lower body) won't play Tuesday against San Jose, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Murphy's lower-body issue isn't believed to be overly serious, so he likely won't be sidelined for long. With Murphy unavailable, Jarred Tinordi will draw into the lineup versus the Sharks.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Nets lone goal in loss Murphy scored a goal, added two hits and blocked three shots in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Jets.

Impact Murphy's two goals this season have come in the last 16 games, a span in which he's added three assists. He'll never be confused with Bobby Orr -- Murphy can chip in the occasional point, but he's much more of a shutdown defenseman who has been pressed into a larger role during Seth Jones' absence due to a shoulder injury, which is nearing an end. Murphy has eight points, 44 shots on net, 91 hits, 103 blocked shots, 40 PIM and a minus-19 rating through 42 appearances.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes helper in overtime win Murphy recorded an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime win over the Jets.

Impact Murphy snapped a six-game point drought with his assist on Connor Bedard's first-period marker. With three points in December, this has been Murphy's most productive month of the campaign. The stay-at-home blueliner has five points, 38 shots on net, 72 hits, 90 blocked shots, 36 PIM and a minus-15 rating through 34 appearances overall, so he's not much of an option for most fantasy formats.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nets first goal this season Murphy netted a goal on four shots in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Capitals.

Impact Murphy cut Chicago's deficit to 4-2 late in the third period, ripping a one-timer past Darcy Kuemper. It's the first goal of the year for Murphy, who now has points in back-to-back contests following a 12-game scoreless streak. He's now up to four points (a goal and three assists) through 27 games this season. While Murphy should continue to see heavy usage in a top-four role, he shouldn't be counted on to provide much offense. He's yet to reach the 20-point threshold through 10 NHL seasons.

DECEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up helper Murphy logged an assist, three blocked shots, two hits and two PIM in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Blues.

Impact Murphy helped out on a Jason Dickinson tally in the second period. The 30-year-old Murphy had gone 12 games without a point, posting a minus-9 rating with 22 hits and 31 blocked shots in that span. He's a true stay-at-home defenseman who is more of a mentor than a scoring leader for the Blackhawks. Murphy has three assists, 67 blocks, 55 hits, 28 PIM, 24 shots on net and a minus-14 rating over 26 appearances.

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dishes out five hits in loss Murphy didn't factor into the scoring in Tuesday's 3-1 road loss against the Bruins, but he delivered a game-high five hits.

Impact Murphy ended up with a minus-1 in on the night, and he didn't even attempt a shot. However, he was good for a pair of blocked shots and the plentiful hits, which will be his calling card. Fantasy managers playing in deeper leagues rewarding those categories will want to keep an eye on the Chicago rearguard.

OCTOBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Provides seventh goal of 2022-23 Murphy scored a goal in a 5-2 victory over Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Impact Murphy opened the scoring midway through the second period. He has seven goals, 12 points, 163 hits and 158 blocks in 79 outings this season. Murphy didn't record a point over his previous seven appearances, though he did contribute 12 hits and 14 blocks in that span.

APRIL 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Elias Pettersson's 2 goals lifts Canucks over Blackhawks 4-2

Elias Pettersson scored twice, Phillip Di Giuseppe scored, Brock Boeser got an empty-netter, and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Sunday night

MARCH 27, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tallies in loss Murphy scored a shorthanded goal in Sunday's 4-2 loss to Vancouver.

Impact Murphy opened the scoring in the first period Sunday, beating Collin Delia with a wrister from the point while the Blackhawks were shorthanded. The goal is Murphy's first since Jan. 26, a stretch of 24 games, and just his fifth point in that span. The 30-year-old blueliner has six goals and 11 points through 71 games this season.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back with club Murphy rejoined the Blackhawks at practice Monday after having been away for personal reasons, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Murphy is currently still mired in a 17-game goal drought dating back to Jan. 26 versus the Flames. During that slump, the 29-year-old Ohio native has recorded three assists, 10 shots and 36 hits while averaging 19:14 of ice time. Without much offensive upside, Murphy shouldn't be expected to offer more than mid-range fantasy value at best.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE