Top Players to Follow in Arizona Coyotes Training Camp

2. Connor Murphy

Feb 8, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy (5) defends against Dallas Stars left wing Antoine Roussel (21) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Morris is out, and… well, someone is in. Keith Yandle now sits in a top-four pairing defenseman role, without his fourth pair.

This job is Connor Murphy‘s if he plays his cards right. The 21-year-old defensive prospect from Dublin, Ohio has the natural charisma with Yandle; while Murphy has traditionally excelled as an offensive blue liner, he seamlessly transitioned into a more stay-at-home role when playing alongside the team’s alternate captain. He proved his ability to handle heavy ice time, and isn’t afraid to be physical, despite observations that he may not have fully grown into his size yet.

“This job is Connor Murphy‘s if he plays his cards right. The 21-year-old defensive prospect from Dublin, Ohio has the natural charisma with Yandle; while Murphy has traditionally excelled as an offensive blue liner, he seamlessly transitioned into a more stay-at-home role when playing alongside the team’s alternate captain.”

As mentioned earlier, though, Tippett isn’t a fan of bringing in the younger blood where someone with more experience could provide a more reliable option. Even if Murphy is a seemingly reasonable choice to pair with Yandle, he will need to really prove himself during September to earn the spot.

Training camp for Murphy should focus less on being flashy, and more on being an on-and-off-ice leader. Players like Oliver Ekman-Larsson earned their roster spots at an early age through talent and confidence, and it will be up to Murphy to prove to the team’s management team that he deserves to skate out in Glendale come August. He doesn’t have the threat of another year in the juniors hanging over his head- at 21, he has already spent time with the Portland Pirates- but on a team stacked with talent, it will be important to see whether he can make himself stand out among the crowd.