What do you think Boiler? Big guy who can skate, good junior numbers, one good productive NHL seasons and some very mediocre ones. Pretty hefty salary for five or six more years. Do you think Chicago should go after him?
- paulr

Yeah, maybe a flash in the pan based on his one big season. His numbers have gone down the last 2 years. He's in the right age group. Same draft class as our friend Kirby Dach. I know you have to infuse some outside young talent at some time. Personally, I'm leery. KD should keep looking.

What do you think Boiler? Big guy who can skate, good junior numbers, one good productive NHL seasons and some very mediocre ones. Pretty hefty salary for five or six more years. Do you think Chicago should go after him?
- paulr

Yes going forward his cap hit won't be a problem he is young and talented I would definitely definitely trade for him. What trade would look don't know I think be buying low on cozens so maybe Toronto's 1st and Murphy or Jones straight up for cozens

Here's another rumor from Yardbarker citing a Frank Seravalli quote. Probably just click-bait. I'd expand the trade and include Donato, maybe get a higher pick/better prospect.
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Connor Murphy could be Jake McCabe 2.0 for Maple Leafs

Seems familiar, eh? Toronto trades for a veteran defenseman from Chicago who ends up being a stud. It happened with Jake McCabe and it should happen with Murphy.

The 6-foot-4, 212-pound blueliner is exactly the remedy for a struggling Morgan Rielly. He blocks tons of shots, throws his huge frame around, can contribute a bit offensively, has a high hockey IQ and can give Rielly a break if he pinches up, knowing Murphy has his back in transition.

Seravalli gave a bit more insight into why Murphy makes sense:

"Remember when the Blackhawks retained half on defenseman Jake McCabe's deal and knocked him down to just $2 million to send him to Toronto? That deal worked out great for the Leafs. Chicago could do it again with Murphy. There is a reason the Blackhawks preserved their final salary retention slot in the Taylor Hall/Mikko Rantanen trade. It could be to potentially retain Seth Jones, though that isn't preferred, or it could be to get creative on a deal like one for Murphy - who is a perfectly serviceable if not flashy No. 4 defenseman. The youth movement is on the way in Chicago."


Maybe Toronto can look to Chicago again and snag Murphy this year. He costs $4.4M, but if it can get retention, a shutdown defenseman for Morgan Rielly at $2.2M is an absolute steal. With the Blackhawks rebuilding and Murphy already 31, it doesn't seem like the best fit.

He shouldn't cost too much, either, and certainly won't be a Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan level of player. It's possible Toronto can trade away Nick Robertson and Topi Niemala with its 2026 third-round draft pick to get things done.

Murphy would be the perfect addition to a Maple Leafs blue line that, while older, is meant to be a brick wall between the opponents and the net. Toronto needs one more piece to build the strongest protection possible not only in the regular season but the playoffs.

I’ll give my $0.02. Yes I’d take Cozens, but it depends on cost. He can skate, has size, and has proven that he can score. He can play on Bedard’s wing.

Here's another rumor from Yardbarker citing a Frank Seravalli quote. Probably just click-bait......


Connor Murphy could be Jake McCabe 2.0 for Maple Leafs

Seems familiar, eh? Toronto trades for a veteran defenseman from Chicago who ends up being a stud. It happened with Jake McCabe and it should happen with Murphy.

The 6-foot-4, 212-pound blueliner is exactly the remedy for a struggling Morgan Rielly. He blocks tons of shots, throws his huge frame around, can contribute a bit offensively, has a high hockey IQ and can give Rielly a break if he pinches up, knowing Murphy has his back in transition.

Seravalli gave a bit more insight into why Murphy makes sense:

"Remember when the Blackhawks retained half on defenseman Jake McCabe's deal and knocked him down to just $2 million to send him to Toronto? That deal worked out great for the Leafs. Chicago could do it again with Murphy. There is a reason the Blackhawks preserved their final salary retention slot in the Taylor Hall/Mikko Rantanen trade. It could be to potentially retain Seth Jones, though that isn't preferred, or it could be to get creative on a deal like one for Murphy - who is a perfectly serviceable if not flashy No. 4 defenseman. The youth movement is on the way in Chicago."


Maybe Toronto can look to Chicago again and snag Murphy this year. He costs $4.4M, but if it can get retention, a shutdown defenseman for Morgan Rielly at $2.2M is an absolute steal. With the Blackhawks rebuilding and Murphy already 31, it doesn't seem like the best fit.

He shouldn't cost too much, either, and certainly won't be a Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan level of player. It's possible Toronto can trade away Nick Robertson and Topi Niemala with its 2026 third-round draft pick to get things done.

Murphy would be the perfect addition to a Maple Leafs blue line that, while older, is meant to be a brick wall between the opponents and the net. Toronto needs one more piece to build the strongest protection possible not only in the regular season but the playoffs.
- boilermaker100

Seravalli bout to get some nasty emails.

Yes going forward his cap hit won't be a problem he is young and talented I would definitely definitely trade for him. What trade would look don't know I think be buying low on cozens so maybe Toronto's 1st and Murphy or Jones straight up for cozens
- Scott1977

Giving up a 1st for a kid that’s lost and signed for 5 years at $7.1 per? Only 47 pts last year and even worse this year - 26pts in 52g and -17 mind you, woof.

Giving up a 1st for a kid that’s lost and signed for 5 years at $7.1 per? Only 47 pts last year and even worse this year - 26pts in 52g and -17 mind you, woof.
- Assman22

Other pieces could be added on both sides in the trade. I still would take a chance on him imo.

Other pieces could be added on both sides in the trade. I still would take a chance on him imo.
- Scott1977

They’re going to want a good young player in return - would assume a RD.
Still can’t believe they hired old man Ruff with how he did last season with the Devils young talent. Gets fired and this season NJ is tied with Leafs for 4th in the EC.

Here's another rumor from Yardbarker citing a Frank Seravalli quote. Probably just click-bait. I'd expand the trade and include Donato, maybe get a higher pick/better prospect.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Connor Murphy could be Jake McCabe 2.0 for Maple Leafs

Seems familiar, eh? Toronto trades for a veteran defenseman from Chicago who ends up being a stud. It happened with Jake McCabe and it should happen with Murphy.

The 6-foot-4, 212-pound blueliner is exactly the remedy for a struggling Morgan Rielly. He blocks tons of shots, throws his huge frame around, can contribute a bit offensively, has a high hockey IQ and can give Rielly a break if he pinches up, knowing Murphy has his back in transition.

Seravalli gave a bit more insight into why Murphy makes sense:

"Remember when the Blackhawks retained half on defenseman Jake McCabe's deal and knocked him down to just $2 million to send him to Toronto? That deal worked out great for the Leafs. Chicago could do it again with Murphy. There is a reason the Blackhawks preserved their final salary retention slot in the Taylor Hall/Mikko Rantanen trade. It could be to potentially retain Seth Jones, though that isn't preferred, or it could be to get creative on a deal like one for Murphy - who is a perfectly serviceable if not flashy No. 4 defenseman. The youth movement is on the way in Chicago."


Maybe Toronto can look to Chicago again and snag Murphy this year. He costs $4.4M, but if it can get retention, a shutdown defenseman for Morgan Rielly at $2.2M is an absolute steal. With the Blackhawks rebuilding and Murphy already 31, it doesn't seem like the best fit.

He shouldn't cost too much, either, and certainly won't be a Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan level of player. It's possible Toronto can trade away Nick Robertson and Topi Niemala with its 2026 third-round draft pick to get things done.

Murphy would be the perfect addition to a Maple Leafs blue line that, while older, is meant to be a brick wall between the opponents and the net. Toronto needs one more piece to build the strongest protection possible not only in the regular season but the playoffs.
- boilermaker100

Murphy's next home will be the dog food factory put a fork in him, he's done.

Wheeler (Athletic) has the Hawks 4th in the league in prospect rankings. Here's his list of Chicago's top 15 prospects.

Dave Pagnotta at The Fourth Period reporting this...

Buffalo continues to talk to teams about Dylan Cozens. Chicago and Calgary are among the teams interested. Something to keep an eye on.
- boilermaker100

If Seth Jones is going the other way, I'd make the deal

Wheeler (Athletic) has the Hawks 4th in the league in prospect rankings. Here's his list of Chicago's top 15 prospects.



- boilermaker100

Ha, I'd love to see Pronman's version. I know for sure Nazar wouldn't be on that list.

Ha, I'd love to see Pronman's version. I know for sure Nazar wouldn't be on that list.
- Chunk

Wheeler also said there's 5 guys that didn't make the list that would of made almost every other teams top 15 list.

Wheeler also said there's 5 guys that didn't make the list that would of made almost every other teams top 15 list.
- BetweenTheDots

I'm gong to guess Slaggert, Misiak, Thompson, Pridham, Pharand or possibly James in there.

I'm gong to guess Slaggert, Misiak, Thompson, Pridham, Pharand or possibly James in there.
- breadbag

Wheeler also mentioned Wyatt Kaiser, Nolan Allan, Adam Gajan, Gavin Hayes and Jack Pridham as being the 16-19 group of Blackhawks’ prospects. He also included Dominic James, Taige Harding, Aidan Thompson, Paul Ludwinski, Samuel Savoie and newly added Dmitri Kuzmin in his write-up.

From bleacher Nation

And it looks like we will be in line for no worse than a top 4 pick.

Last night in Seattle. Patrick Kane set a NHL record by scoring his 53rd career shootout goal. He was previously tied for the lead with Jonathan Toews at 52. This was also Kane's 23rd game deciding shoot out goal putting him in a tie for 1st in that category.

Seven wins in a row for Detroit.

And it looks like we will be in line for no worse than a top 4 pick.
- BetweenTheDots

I’ll take a top three pick and hopefully they won’t sniff top five again for many years.

And it looks like we will be in line for no worse than a top 4 pick.
- BetweenTheDots

I just hope wherever Chicago picks, Schaefer will be there.

I just hope wherever Chicago picks, Schaefer will be there.
- paulr

But, but, but... they already have defensemen..

I just hope wherever Chicago picks, Schaefer will be there.
- paulr

Unless we leap frog the Sharks, he'll be gone.

And it looks like we will be in line for no worse than a top 4 pick.
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, it's gonna be really hard to pass the Preds or Sabres, or go below the Sharks.

Unless we leap frog the Sharks, he'll be gone.
- BetweenTheDots

Probably. There are some nice consolation picks in no particular order Hagens, Martone, Misa and Desnoyers. I’d like to see KD try to use Toronto’s pick to move higher in the draft, there are a few players who look good especially Malcolm Spence, Logan Hensley, Jake O’Brien (Lardis and Vanacker teammate) and Lynden Lakovic.

But, but, but... they already have defensemen..
- Chunk

I'd flip Levshunov (RD) for Byram right now straight up. Idk what a blockbuster would look like for Cozens/Byram and I doubt Jonesy would waive his NMC to go to Buffalo but if there's a coaching philosophy that Jones would do well playing under it's Lindy Ruff's. Also think they need to sell high on Crevier. That giraffe is going to continue to get beat up unless he develops a mean streak.

Yeah, it's gonna be really hard to pass the Preds or Sabres, or go below the Sharks.
- Chunk

Lottery balls bounce weird ways sometimes