Murray traded to Devils by Blue Jackets

Ryan Murray was traded to the New Jersey Devils by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday for a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

The 27-year-old defenseman scored nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 27 regular-season games this season, missing almost three months because of a lower-body injury. He scored one goal in nine postseason games.

Murray said Friday he is looking at the trade as an opportunity for a clean slate.

"I think it was kind of time, it think it was due," he said. "Things just kind of happen. Sometimes things don't work out, and it seemed like it was kind of going down that road in Columbus. ... Then when you get that call there's a lot of different emotions that go through your head and through your body and it was kind of a strange night but at the same time, it's really exciting to get a fresh start and kind of go to a new experience, a new team, and I'm really excited to get going."

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"Ryan is a smart, two-way defenseman who fills a need on the left side of our top four," New Jersey general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "His poise, defensive acumen and transitional game will pair nicely with our current defensemen on the right side and he will play an important role for us."

Murray has one season remaining on a two-year contract he signed with Columbus on July 1, 2019.

Selected by the Blue Jackets with the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, Murray scored 110 points (15 goals, 95 assists) in 347 regular-season games, and three points (one goal, two assists) in 20 postseason games.

NHL.com Staff Writer Mike G. Morreale contributed to this report