Connor Murphy is expected to make his season debut when the Blackhawks host the Canadiens on Sunday at the United Center.
Murphy has been on injured reserve since September after he underwent back surgery. The right-handed defenseman had two goals with 12 assists while averaging 16:22 minutes of ice time in 76 games during his first season with Chicago in 2017-18. During Saturday’s morning skate, he was on the second defensive pairing with Erik Gustafsson.
To make room for Murphy’s spot on the roster, Chicago placed fellow blue liner Gustav Forsling (shoulder) on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec.