 The following season Murphy split time between the AHL and the NHL playing fifty games with Detroit after converting to right wing.He managed just ten goals and 19 points and ended up back in the minor leagues for the majority of the 1988-89 season where he really found his game putting up 31 goals and 66 points in just 47 games.That spring Murphy played a key role for the Adirondack Red Wings capturing the Calder Cup to complete his breakout pro season.