Arizona acquires Niklas Hjalmarsson
Neil Parker
2017-06-23
The Chicago Blackhawks traded Niklas Hjalmarsson to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Connor Murphy and Laurent Dauphin on Friday.
What the Coyotes Receive
Hjalmarsson is a no-nonsense, shut-down defenseman that has been praised throughout his career for his fearlessness and integral role during Chicago's three Stanley Cup championships. He's suited up for 317 of a possible 328 games over the past four seasons while averaging 21:46 of ice time per night. His 52.1 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five during that four-year span is also a rock-solid mark.
He's registered just 87 points — 14 goals — and 333 shots over the past four seasons, though, and his offensive contributions will always remain limited. Additionally, it's worth noting that his possession numbers have dipped considerably in each of the past two seasons.
It will probably be difficult to quantify the leadership and experience the 30-year-old defenseman is able to bring to a young franchise.
What the Blackhawks Receive
Dauphin brings blazing speed, size and an offensive pedigree to the table and will compete for playing time and a bottom-six job with Chicago. He's been limited to just 32 NHL games but scored 17 goals and 28 points through 38 contests in the AHL this season. The 22-year-old forward could thrive if he lands a prominent gig in a scoring role.
Murphy settled into a defense-first role with the Coyotes over the past two seasons and began 58.5 percent of his five-on-five shifts in his own zone this year. The first-round selection from the 2011 draft owns the size (6-foot-4, 212 pounds) and mobility to be a shut-down rearguard and will look to fine-tune his game in the defensive end as he enters his prime years. The change of scenery to a competitive team could do wonders for Murphy because he owns everything required to be an excellent defenseman.
Fantasy Breakdown
There are only fantasy ripples here.
Murphy receives a boost, but offense isn't his game, and he'll probably never ascend to being a relevant option in the majority of settings.
Dauphin has upside, but a lot would need to fall into place before he moves the offensive needle. There is likely just as good a chance he doesn't crack the roster, as there is that he earns a top-six role.
Hjalmarsson could partner with Oliver Ekman-Larsson to form an elite defense pair, or he could shelter a youngster (Jakob Chychrun or Anthony Deangelo). Regardless, his addition is probably a boon for the entire defense corps, aside from Luke Schenn.
It's also a positive for the eventual No. 1 goaltender in Arizona, Louis Domingue currently, or whoever claims that role down the line.
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Lol looks like the Deangelo option went out the window fast