Larry Murphy's journey in professional hockey is a testament to his skill and consistency on the ice. Born on March 8, 1961, in Scarborough, Ontario, Murphy began his path to the NHL with a strong foundation in junior hockey. He played for the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where his performance caught the attention of NHL scouts.

In the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Murphy was selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Kings. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, setting a then-record for most points by a rookie defenseman with 76 points. His offensive prowess from the blue line was evident, and he quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman.

Murphy's career saw him play for several teams, each benefiting from his offensive skills and defensive reliability. After his stint with the Kings, he was traded to the Washington Capitals in 1983. During his time with the Capitals, Murphy continued to excel, consistently ranking among the top-scoring defensemen in the league. His ability to contribute offensively while maintaining solid defensive play made him a valuable asset.

In 1989, Murphy was traded to the Minnesota North Stars, where he played a crucial role in the team's journey to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1991. Although the North Stars fell short against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Murphy's performance was instrumental in their playoff run.

Following his time with the North Stars, Murphy joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1990. It was with the Penguins that he achieved one of the highlights of his career, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. Playing alongside legends like Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, Murphy's experience and skill were vital to the Penguins' success during this period.

In 1995, Murphy was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he continued to be a steady presence on the blue line. However, his time in Toronto was relatively short, as he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1997. With the Red Wings, Murphy added two more Stanley Cup championships to his resume, winning in 1997 and 1998. His veteran leadership and playoff experience were invaluable to the Red Wings during their championship runs.

Murphy's career concluded with the Red Wings, retiring after the 2000-2001 season. Over his 21-year NHL career, he played in 1,615 regular-season games, scoring 287 goals and 929 assists for a total of 1,216 points. His playoff record was equally impressive, with 37 goals and 115 assists in 215 games.

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