Quoting: Hawksguy81
Really? Who's filling that opening on RD? Not Gambrell or Robertson. This MIGHT (and I stress might) be a fair offer for Murphy half retained for 3 years, but it creates a big time mentorship issue for the Hawks on their blue line this season.
If the Hawks were going to trade Murphy, the trade would have been made far earlier than now so Kyle from Chicago could backfill the RD hole. Trying to do that now means Hawks overpay for Murphy's replacement or end up with a bum to play with Phillips or Kaiser. And why add two more forwards who need NHL ice time? Hawks have too many all ready. Hawks don't make this deal.
First off I agree with you, if Murphy was going to be traded it more then likely would have happened by now, I am merely responding to the proposal as shown.
Secondly, I am on record as saying I think Murphy is highly overrated by Blackhawk fans. In my opinion he is a decent second pair/PK d-man. With that in mind if you could get a 1st and 3rd for him you jump at the chance.
Robertson has injury questions but I would give him a chance over guys like Katchouk, Entwistle, R Johnson etc. the potential upside is greater than anything those guys offer. Gambrel… whatever he can go to Rockford, ECHL, waive whatever.
As for his potential replacement there are guys available from teams that still have cap issues to resolve:
Calgary is over the cap with a 21 man roster perhaps you can squeeze out Tanev for cheap or next to nothing.
Colorado is right up against the cap, they may be willing to move Girard who is a $5m luxury third pair d-man because of the development of Byram.
Edmonton has cap issues to resolve, Ceci may be available again for next to nothing or perhaps even with a sweetener.
Vancouver would probably jump at the chance to move Myers and probably attached a 2nd or 3rd round pick to him.
We may actually see the much anticipated and heavily debated Joseph/Brannstrom (aka next coming of Bobby Orr according to Sens fans) deal. Again potentially with a pick(s) added.
Maybe there is an opportunity for a follow up deal with the Leafs centred around Brodie.
That is just off the top of my head, I am sure there are other players out there that can shake free as we close in on the start of the season. Are they better then Murphy, perhaps not but some of those options are fairly close and at the end of the day, is winning really the priority yet?