New Jersey Devils Add A Solid Piece In Ryan Murray
The New Jersey Devils have traded a 5th-round draft pick in next year’s draft for Blue Jackets defender Ryan Murray.
A low-risk move that only cost the Devils a low-round pick for a solid defender and one on the left side was a fantastic move by GM Tom Fitzgerald. The concern here is Ryan Murray has never been able to stay healthy, and there is no reason to think this will change. Since his first season in 2013-14, Murray has only managed a full season once and averaged 49 games a season. Still, half a season is better than a gaping hole in the lineup this season for the Devils, and if he manages to stay healthy all the better.
Not the biggest points producer but a solid defender, Murray should quietly fit into a top-four role this year with ease. He has a good shot at being our top guy. Depending on the chemistry, the best place to put him will be with Damon Severson or P.K. Subban on the top pairing. This will let whoever is on the right-side play a little bit more offensive and let them roam more.
Both of those players being able to do that should get a boost in numbers and confidence which will make the entirety of the Devils better. As it sits now a top 4 of Murray-Subban and Butcher-Severson should, if healthy, actually be respectable enough with solid goaltending to let us take a step in the right direction ahead of the bottom of the league teams.
With a cap hit of $4.6 million for this season only and then becoming an unrestricted free agent, this has no risk for the Devils. He could be moved at the deadline for a better pick if he plays well or could be extended for a few years at a likely cheaper rate if it works out. Both of these are good options going forward for the Devils with a good chance of a bigger gain than the value of the late-round pick.