Feb 20, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez (23) warms up before a game against the Nashville Predators at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Blackhawks Activate Alec Martinez, Move Connor Murphy to Injured Reserve

The Chicago Blackhawks activate defenseman Alec Martinez while placing Connor Murphy on IR amid roster adjustments due to injuries.

The Chicago Blackhawks are exchanging two seasoned defensemen on the team’s injured reserve list. Before their match this evening with the Edmonton Oilers, the Blackhawks organization revealed they’ve activated Alec Martinez from the injured reserve and have placed Connor Murphy on the injured reserve, effective December 31st, as a corresponding roster adjustment.

Martinez will continue what can only be considered one of the more disappointing seasons of his professional career. He’s faced several injury issues since entering the league at 22 during the 2009-10 season and will now miss reaching 60 games for the second year in a row.

5 takeaways from the Chicago Blackhawks’ 4-3 loss, including another bad 2nd period and Alec Martinez’s return https://t.co/PF7IxPF4ic
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) January 12, 2025

The three-time Stanley Cup winner was recruited as an experienced influence with a championship background for a youthful Blackhawks’ defensive lineup. Despite being a mentor to numerous younger colleagues in Chicago, Martinez has only played in 15 games this season.

Although the season started as scheduled, Martinez was added to the team’s injured reserve after just four games at the season’s start because of a persistent injury from the preseason. He was reinstated almost a month later in mid-November but went back to the IR because of a facial injury sustained against the Winnipeg Jets on December 7th.

The Chicago Blackhawks placed defenseman Connor Murphy on injured reserve Saturday because of a groin injury. https://t.co/XxCPskj06G
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) January 12, 2025

In contrast, Murphy stands out as a defensive veteran enjoying a successful season with the Blackhawks. Murphy has also faced recent injury issues, having participated in only 46 games throughout the 2023-24 season. Nonetheless, he has netted one goal and logged 13 points over 38 matches.

He is already qualified for activation and will proceed as soon as he has completely healed from his groin injury. Murphy aims to surpass his career-best scoring mark (19 points in 2019-20) when he rejoins Chicago’s active lineup.

Also Read: Avalanche Recall John Ludvig After Two-Week AHL Conditioning Loan

Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Alec Martinez

Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Murphy

NHL

Anamika Shrivastava

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