New Jersey Devils Acquire Ryan Murray From Columbus Blue Jackets

Tom Fitzgerald and the New Jersey Devils have crossed off a need on their list on the eve of free agency as they acquire defenseman Ryan Murray from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a 2021 5th-round pick. Murray played only 27 games last season due to injury and the shortened season. In those games, he had two goals and seven assists for nine points.

When the Blue Jackets played in the makeshift playoffs, he scored one goal in nine games. Murray has never been known for his offensive game but known for his defense. His career high in points is 29 set in 2018-19 while only playing 56 games. When he was in his draft year, scouts compared him to Scott Niedermayer. Murray will need a new number as he has worn 27 his entire career, the number retired in New Jersey in honor of Niedermayer.

Health has been a major concern for Murray over his career. He was the second-overall pick in the 2012 draft and has played in seven seasons since then. He has only once played a full 82 games once back in 2015-16. If Murray can stay healthy, he will be a welcomed addition to the defensive corps. In John Tortorella’s defensive-minded system, Murray has great underlying numbers. Pairing him on the left-hand side with someone like Damon Severson or P.K. Subban will be a big boost for the unit. Murray is now the second left-handed shot defenseman on the roster with Will Butcher. Mirco Mueller who also is a left-handed shot was not tendered a qualifying offer and will not return to the team.

Murray has only one year remaining on his contract entering this season, which could explain the light return for Columbus. Murray is making $4.6 million against the cap. Even if Murray does not sign an extension, which he will be able to assign when free agency starts October 9th, a fifth-round pick is a great price for Murray’s talent. It seems as though Fitzgerald is weaponizing the cap space he has with this trade and one cannot assume he’s done. He has said he would like to add more than one defenseman this offseason along with another forward for the top nine. Fitzgerald has $25.6 million in cap space remaining.

With Murray now in the fold, the expected emergence of Ty Smith, it seems as though the Devils will still need one more defenseman. Butcher, Murray, Subban, Severson, Smith, and Connor Carrick seem to be the group the Devils have right now going into next season. On top of that, the draft pick they gave up was a fifth-round pick. The Devils still have eight picks in the 2021 NHL Draft. So far, Fitzgerlad’s offseason has been a success. This trade has only given Devils fans more hope for what he has in store for the remaining months until we finally get to see a Devils sweater on ice in an actual game.