The Chicago Blackhawks hitting unwanted records with a defensive nightmare

The Blackhawks' 2024/25 season has been nothing less of a roller coaster, but one thing that has been consistent, is their defensive struggles.

Unlike their history of formidable defensive pairings, such as the iconic duo of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, to Hall of Famers such as Pierre Pilote and Chris Chelios, the organization is no where near giving justice to these unforgettable players.

This season has been marred by defensive inconsistencies, with one pairing notably underperforming and contributing to the team's overall challenges.

Duo, Alec Martinez and Connor Murphy, lack cohesion and have single handedly combined to form an absolute defensive nightmare.

The 37-year-old, Alec Martinez, has participated in 28 games this season with a record of 4 goals and 5 assists, giving him a total of 9 points. He has averaged 8 minutes and 6 seasons of ice time per game and 52 seconds on the power play.

Despite his offensive contributions, Martinez's defensive skills may strike as concerning. He currently stands at a -7 rating, indicating that the team's opponents have scored more goals than the Blackhawks during his presence on the ice.

The 31-year-old, Connor Murphy, has participated in 42 games, with 1 goal and 12 assists, giving him a total of 13 points. He has averaged 8 minutes and 43 seconds of ice time per game and has minimal involvement on power plays.

Murphy currently stands at a -5 rating, indicating that the opposing team have also scored more goals during his time on the ice.

When paired together, Martinez and Murphy have faced challenges in maintaining defensive stability. With a horrific rating of -12 when combined together, concerns may arise as to why this duo continues to stay intact.

Although this duo continues to impact the Chicago Blackhawks immensely, there is still hope for the team.

With the NHL trade deadline approaching, Blackhawks fans must stay positive as the future of the franchise can't become worse than rock bottom.