Theo Fox: Murphy's Law A look at the Blackhawks contract extension with Connor Murphy to finish locking up a new veteran D nucleus along with Seth Jones and Jake McCabe as the team heads into a new era.

Plus, thoughts on who is up next for contract renewals.

Of the 17 contracts coming due that you mentioned in the blog, you show only 3 that would be “likely resigned”. I know that’s not all of the prospects on the roster, and not all of the 17 are strictly speaking really prospects any more, but this doesn’t say much for the drafting and development program, does it?

You also asked the question “who are the vets paving the way for” - at 28, 28, and 27, and each signed for at least the next four years, they aren’t pavers - the are the future.

And, as Powers pointed out in The Athletic, at $17.9 million for the next four seasons (less for the coming season), even with Jones $9 million, this is a reasonably priced trio, compared with other teams - a quick CapFriendly perusal shows them to be probably at about the 1/3 level of cap hits for top-3 blue liners.

If they’re the right guys….

Of the 17 contracts coming due that you mentioned in the blog, you show only 3 that would be “likely resigned”. I know that’s not all of the prospects on the roster, and not all of the 17 are strictly speaking really prospects any more, but this doesn’t say much for the drafting and development program, does it?

You also asked the question “who are the vets paving the way for” - at 28, 28, and 27, and each signed for at least the next four years, they aren’t pavers - the are the future.

And, as Powers pointed out in The Athletic, at $17.9 million for the next four seasons (less for the coming season), even with Jones $9 million, this is a reasonably priced trio, compared with other teams - a quick CapFriendly perusal shows them to be probably at about the 1/3 level of cap hits for top-3 blue liners.

If they’re the right guys….
- StLBravesFan

To a certain extent. Lots of young guys up. Who had more young guys played up last year than the Hawks?

There's another what 5 or 6 guys that played at least a game or two who will be in the resigned category, so not really sure "3" is a fair look at it.

Also, what's normal for draft picks having a long term career with the team they are drafted by? I'm guessing (not researching) but if you have one a year that's a positive, and I'm guessing two a year is a luxury.

After this 4th year in Chicago Murphy signs a 4 year deal for $4.4 million….and he was traded for #4.

After this 4th year in Chicago Murphy signs a 4 year deal for $4.4 million….and he was traded for #4.


- DarthKane

Obviously the contract extension was foreordained.

After this 4th year in Chicago Murphy signs a 4 year deal for $4.4 million….and he was traded for #4.


- DarthKane

Wheels within wheels, man...

Murphy is a solid NHL player.
One of the things Theo mentioned earlier regarding Hammer was about his backhand clearing attempts while still in Chicago. I think he, like Seabrook, were showing signs of breaking down physically from injuries; Hammer couldn't always clear the zone anymore and Seabs would sometimes completely whiff on a clearing attempt.
With them at their peak, it was good enough for three cups.
There is playing with pain.
There is playing with injuries.
Then there is playing with injuries mere mortals would not dream of. And Seabs and Hammer are in that category.

Of the 17 contracts coming due that you mentioned in the blog, you show only 3 that would be “likely resigned”. I know that’s not all of the prospects on the roster, and not all of the 17 are strictly speaking really prospects any more, but this doesn’t say much for the drafting and development program, does it?

You also asked the question “who are the vets paving the way for” - at 28, 28, and 27, and each signed for at least the next four years, they aren’t pavers - the are the future.

And, as Powers pointed out in The Athletic, at $17.9 million for the next four seasons (less for the coming season), even with Jones $9 million, this is a reasonably priced trio, compared with other teams - a quick CapFriendly perusal shows them to be probably at about the 1/3 level of cap hits for top-3 blue liners.

If they’re the right guys….
- StLBravesFan

Well...of the 17 he mentions only 3 were actual Hawk draft picks, so there's that. To your point, I don't think drafting is an issue as much as development though it seems a bit better since they parted ways with Dent as coach in RFD.

After this 4th year in Chicago Murphy signs a 4 year deal for $4.4 million….and he was traded for #4.


- DarthKane

Oh snap!

Eichel to have surgery, out until December, gift them Strome. Even with Eichel's salary, they are $9 million below the cap floor.

Eichel to have surgery, out until December, gift them Strome. Even with Eichel's salary, they are $9 million below the cap floor.
- LAHawk

Must take Connelly too and sign either Cizikas or Zajac for additional center depth

After this 4th year in Chicago Murphy signs a 4 year deal for $4.4 million….and he was traded for #4.


- DarthKane

You know what the number four means in Cantonese?

DEATH💀

You know what the number four means in Cantonese?

DEATH💀
- paulr

Good thing Murph is Irish ☘️

You know what the number four means in Cantonese?

DEATH💀
- paulr

Great, Murphy will have a killer year this season!

After this 4th year in Chicago Murphy signs a 4 year deal for $4.4 million….and he was traded for #4.


- DarthKane

That's deep Darth, it's obvious you have to much time on your hands

Great, Murphy will have a killer year this season!
- powerenforcer

That’s one way to interpret it.

Also Theo dcat extension coming soon and if Dach has a breakout season which imo he will i don't see how hawks can fit kubalik long term. Also do believe strome will be traded before training camp starts just don't see a fit with him on this team. Ottawa Columbus montreal and buffalo make the most sense for him to traded to.

Also Theo dcat extension coming soon and if Dach has a breakout season which imo he will i don't see how hawks can fit kubalik long term. Also do believe strome will be traded before training camp starts just don't see a fit with him on this team. Ottawa Columbus montreal and buffalo make the most sense for him to traded to.
- Scott1977

Also have to factor in any possible Kane and Toews extensions. Their contracts expire at the same time as Debrincat's.

Kane will probably still have something left in the tank and could play a few more years. Does he want to remain a Hawk and surpass Stan Mikita's franchise record of 1467 points? (Kane presently at 1088 points. Figure 150 points over the next two years would put him at 1238.) Do the Hawks extend him at 3 x 7 or 8 or 9M?

Toews may call it quits due to any remaining health issues. If not 2 or 3 years at ?M for him if he has a couple of upcoming decent seasons. Or a 1 year 35+ bonus laden contract.

Well...of the 17 he mentions only 3 were actual Hawk draft picks, so there's that. To your point, I don't think drafting is an issue as much as development though it seems a bit better since they parted ways with Dent as coach in RFD.
- HawkintheD

Development may seem better, but there isn't much evidence of that on the parent team: the only players with Rockford experience who have had any success with the big team seems to be Hagel, with one year there, and (I think) Lankinen.

Some have had decent cups of coffee in Chicago, but have not stuck around.

We'll see what happens with some Rockford graduates this season.

There is an often overlooked second part of Murphy’s law: If anything can go wrong, it will….and at the worst possible time.

If anything, we should now be questioning the timing of this deal.

Development may seem better, but there isn't much evidence of that on the parent team: the only players with Rockford experience who have had any success with the big team seems to be Hagel, with one year there, and (I think) Lankinen.

Some have had decent cups of coffee in Chicago, but have not stuck around.

We'll see what happens with some Rockford graduates this season.
- StLBravesFan

I’d add Kurashev and like you said, stay tuned. With some more seasoning, perhaps guys like Entwistle and Hardman become bottom 6 regulars at some point.

The article in the Athletic about prospects was somewhat of a recurring theme. The organization doesn’t seem to have a lot of high end talent up front but potentially guys who can play in the NHL.

Hopefully King and staff can get more of them to the parent team than Dent did, which was I believe really only Shaw, Saad, Danault and Schmaltz?

Development may seem better, but there isn't much evidence of that on the parent team: the only players with Rockford experience who have had any success with the big team seems to be Hagel, with one year there, and (I think) Lankinen.

Some have had decent cups of coffee in Chicago, but have not stuck around.

We'll see what happens with some Rockford graduates this season.
- StLBravesFan

For many years Rockford has sucked. That made sense from '08-'16. Since then we've been rushing guys to the NHL. Rockford would have looked better with Boqvist, Jokiharju and Dach playing there. Even though Joki's father disagreed. Who knows what normal is, but Tevo, Bickell, Saad and a few others were pretty good years back. Hopefully Reichel doesn't get rushed before he's ready.

Great, Murphy will have a killer year this season!
- powerenforcer

I'm ready to play Tampa with a few bigger guys now! Let them try to go after Murphy again.

I'm ready to play Tampa with a few bigger guys now! Let them try to go after Murphy again.
- rpeters01

I hear ya! (frank) the team getting better! I just want the Hawks to beat up everyone who were physical with them in the past.

I hear ya! (frank) the team getting better! I just want the Hawks to beat up everyone who were physical with them in the past.
- paulr

I would even like it if you had left out the bolded part.

Development may seem better, but there isn't much evidence of that on the parent team: the only players with Rockford experience who have had any success with the big team seems to be Hagel, with one year there, and (I think) Lankinen.

Some have had decent cups of coffee in Chicago, but have not stuck around.

We'll see what happens with some Rockford graduates this season.
- StLBravesFan

Well i think they were rated 10 a couple of years ago? Considering the team last year had, was it 9, 10 players score their 1st nhl goal? That kind of tells me they came up to play with the big boys. Rating farm systems is a waste of time.

Then you have Borgstrom and Stillman trade? Who can actually play in the NHL.

Like the trade for Kubs, European rookie free agents like Suter and Lanky