Defenseman Connor Murphy recently signed a six-year contract extension with the Arizona Coyotes worth $3.85 million per season.
In this edition of the hotstove we discuss whether Murphy is worth the big commitment the Coyotes made to him.
Todd Cordell
I don't dislike this deal as much as some - I get why the Coyotes did it - but I'm still not a fan.
He wasn't a big scorer in junior and he hasn't been a big scorer at the NHL level to date so it's probably safe to say he'll never bring much offense to the table. His shot suppression and possession numbers are not good, either.
I don't see an area where he makes a significant positive impact on the game. At 23 there is still room to grow, obviously, but Murphy is not a guy I'd be locking up for the long haul at almost $4M per season.
James Tanner I like this signing. I have heard people be mystified my the length, but that is what makes it good.
If you wait for players to fully establish themselves, you have to pay them a lot of money. For a team like the Coyotes, who will never likely spend to the cap, it's even more important to find value in their deals than it is for teams more willing to spend.
So by giving him term he hasn't necessarily earned, they get a cap hit that will look fantastic if he becomes a good player in the NHL. And they'll have him locked up for his entire prime.
It's a classic 'gamble on your own player' situation.
Why take this gamble? Murphy is 6'4 210, right handed and an A+ skater. He's only played two years in the NHL, which he jumped right to after only 36 AHL games.
Since he's had to learn on the job and was, in his sophomore year, asked to play on the top pairing, I think it's forgivable that his stats haven't been all that good so far.
It's a reasonable bet on a talented player. If it doesn't work out, his profile, pedigree and right-handed shot will make him easily movable, so there's virtually no risk here.
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