NHL Rumors: 3 Teams Inquired About 2 Blackhawks Defencemen, No-Trade Lists Involved

The Chicago Blackhawks are getting lots of interest in many of their players as they try to tear everything down for a full rebuild. Among the players that teams have interest in are defencemen Jake McCabe and Connor Murphy. Frank Seravalli reported that the Blackhawks are getting calls on McCabe and Murphy and the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings have inquired.

There could be some complications that stop the Blackhawks from freely shopping their defencemen, and that's due to each of the two players having 10-team no-trade clauses. Murphy's may not come into play as all three of the teams that may be interested are in playoff position. McCabe's no-trade clause will come into play as he has every Canadian team except the Maple Leafs on his.

The Kings have likely only inquired about McCabe as they would like to add a left-shot defenceman and clear out some of their right-shot defencemen. Murphy shoots right and plays on the right side, so the Maple Leafs likely have the most interest. It appears as though they could have their pick of the two if they indeed do feel the need to upgrade their defence further.

The Oilers also don't need a right-shot defenceman, seeing as one of their top priorities at the trade deadline may be to bolster the left side. That's not to say a right-shot defenceman can't play his opposite side either. If any of these teams were to acquire one of McCabe or Murphy, it may be a longer commitment than they would like seeing as McCabe has two more years at $4 million AAV and Murphy has three more years at $4.4 million AAV.