The Chicago Blackhawks and defenseman Connor Murphy have agreed to a four-year expansion that carries a yearly normal worth of $4.4 million.

Murphy, 28, has turned into the true No. 1 defenseman in a Blackhawks group that has not been solid protectively in ongoing seasons. Be that as it may, Murphy has been a responsible and actual presence on the blue line.

Chicago has taken large actions on safeguard this offseason, exchanging Adam Boqvist to Columbus for Seth Jones and marking free specialist Jake McCabe.

Murphy had three objectives and 12 aids a profession high 22:09 of ice time last season. He will begin his fifth season in Chicago after an exchange from Arizona for Niklas Hjalmarsson in 2017.

“When we acquired Connor in the summer of 2017, we had visions of him growing as both a player and leader in our organization for many years,” Blackhawks head supervisor Stan Bowman said in an explanation. “He has transformed into a defenseman capable of matching up with the opponent’s best players and someone we trust to help us preserve a lead in the final minutes. Connor’s voice carries weight in our locker room as a veteran presence and we’re thrilled that his development and leadership will continue as a Blackhawk.”