Murphy is a solid dman, his stats may be inflated because of how poor Chicago has been these last few years. His game will translate well into the playoffs.

It would be very disappointing if that was the return of Murphy + retention

I gonna go with no chance the Hawks do that. Murphy retaining nearly 3.5 and getting him down to 3.25 for 3 years is a first +. Hawks are not really looking for a goalie prospect having a couple in the AHL level and having just spent a 2nd this draft. A collection of mid round picks (no matter how many) is not moving the needle when the Hawks currently have a dozen better picks than the best of this offer. Niemela's value is going to be right around where he was drafted. A strong year 2 seasons ago may have elevated his value, but last season was a step backwards for Niemela (and his value).

My counter for Murphy with that much retention is a 1st and Liljegren (or at the least Timmins).

The Hawks have no need to trade Murphy much less retain and do it for a return like this. He and Seth Jones are perfect RHD vets for a team with a handful (and more coming next season) of LHD prospects to sort through. To move Murphy the return will need to be compelling which this is not even remotely.

Anaheim accepts on Brodie for a 5th

We don’t want Micro Robo

I mean, Hidelby is a very good goaltending prospect, Niemela is a great defensive prospect but I digress

The problem is, the Blackhawks have 3 very good goaltending prospects and a glut of guys who profile as a 2nd pair defenseman, which is what Niemela profiles as by most accounts. This doesn't fill a need, and taking up a retention slot for 3 years is very valuable. There's just not very much in it for the Hawks that makes the future brighter than it already is, while giving up a locker room leader and taking up that retention slot.

Hawks decline. That offer doesn't get Murphy with no retention. Only piece of interest to the Hawks might be Niemela, but he's not getting Murphy one for one. If Toronto needs retention, the deal starts with the '26 1st and Toronto adds from there.

Wild appreciate the laugh.

If I'm Buffalo, I'm making that trade. Jarnkrok would be a great third line/bottom six addition

Hidelby may be, but goalie is not something the Hawks really are looking for organizationally. The Hawks have 3 younger goalies in Stauber, Commesso, & Soderblom (that range from slightly worse to better as prospects than Hidelby) and just spent a 2nd round pick to take the first goalie off the draft board this year. Wheeler's recent top 10 drafted goalie list had Commesso at #10 and Soderblom and Gajan getting honorable mentions (or 3 in the top 30 prospects). While Hidelby does also appear in the honorable mentions...there is zero reason the Hawks would trade an asset to acquire a 4th guy on that list when they have 3 they need spots for.

Niemela is a nice prospect and his season 2 years ago gave the impression that he has a very good chance of being a solid 2nd pairing NHL player. Last season was not as good for him and while 2nd pairing is probably still his ceiling, it is far from certain he is even an NHL player in a few years much less an impactful one. 2 seasons ago, I would have put him in the "great" category, but at this point he is probably more very good until he plays some more games in North America.

Murphy is a solid middle pairing RHD proven NHL player. With that retention on Murphy making him a pretty good value contract on top of that, the centerpiece coming back is not going to be Niemela, a goalie the Hawks simply do not need organizationally, and a grab bag of middling picks they already have an overabundance of.

Stacking garbage really high doesn't make for a better offer. Hawks say no.