Connor Murphy put up a 46% Corsi-For last season. He allowed nearly 32 shots against per 60 minutes of ice-time and players continually do worse when he is on the ice than when he isn't.
Despite being a good skater and seeming to have the talent to be an effective puck-moving defenseman, Connor Murphy has been little more than a 6th Dman, in terms of what he's bringing to the table.
Basically, he allows too many shots and doesn't drive possession, which is a massive problem when you're paired on the top line with one of the NHL's best players.
When the Coyotes get a new GM and the whole organization takes on an analytic philosophy, you have to expect a guy like Connor Murphy to be on his way out.
But then, assistant coach Jim Playfair says this to Craig Morgan in an Arizonasports.com story:
I don’t think it holds back his development if we add players; I think it enhances it. He knows now that he can play against top players, but we all believe and agree he can take another step. The exciting thing for me is he’s going to become a harder player to play against. Instead of him having a tough time playing against top players, now they’re going to have a tough time playing against him.
That's frightening.
Going into next season, if Connor Murphy is still on the team, which he shouldn't be, he better be playing on the bottom pairing. Finding a legit partner for OEL should be the teams biggest priority.
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Tobias Reider was named to the 'Team Europe' World Cup team, whatever that is.
Good for him, I suppose.
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Looks like Shane Doan will be back. Alright, I guess that's OK. Personally, I don't really know....seems to me the Coyotes could use a totally fresh start, but I'm a Doan fan, it can't really hurt to have him, so why not?
As long as they get rid of Vermette, Grossmann, Murphy, Dahlbeck and Michalek.
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Michalek was named to team Czech. For the love of god, why?
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The Coyotes fired their whole AHL coaching Staff. Which is also moving to the Arizona area, don't know if I mentioned that yet.
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Somebody please tell me that Claude Loiselle got canned when Maloney did ?
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There is a rumour that the Coyotes will aggressively pursue ex-Coyotes Keith Yandle when free agency opens.
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