The Exodus from the Columbus Blue Jackets may be coming in the form of high-profile forwards and a two-time Vezina trophy-winning goalie, the CBJ defense also could have some question marks.
The tail end of the regular season and beginning of the playoffs were marred by injury on the blue line for the Jackets. Defensive regulars Murray (oft injured) and Nutivaara along with trade deadline acquisition McQuaid suffered injuries that they did not return from. These injuries put a strain on the CBJ D-corp during the playoffs heaping large minutes onto Jones, Werenski and Savard.
Viewed as a strong point on this Jackets team, the defense struggled because of these losses. That reality could be a part of the 2019-2020 season and here's why.
Columbus will be breaking in a new goaltender and losing a puck controlling forward (Panarin). The result could be that the Jackets spend more time in their own zone. If CBJ can boast a defensive line up of Jones & Murray, Werenski & Savard, Nutivaara & Gavrikov all could be well on the back end. This group could shield the inexperience in net and allow for a young goalie to ease into playing in the NHL - be it Korpi in a full time roll or Merzlikins for the first time. Even the use of Kukan and Harrington (hopefully not together like in the playoffs) could support this strategy.
RFA signings on the blue line are still pending and if the front office gets caught up in the fan-focused approach of signing a big name free agent forward it could be at the expense of a strong D-corp. Pending RFAs on defense include Murray, Werenski, Clendening and Harrington. It is no question that signing Werenski is a must, it is just a matter of term and dollars. His contract impacts the rest of the group and what CBJ can do in free agency. Clendening and Harrington will not be high dollar contracts. Given the rise of Gavrikov in the playoffs it is likely that Clendening will not be re-signed. Murray's contract is the wild card. Many CBJ fans are ready to write him off as he has never lived up to his draft status potential.
Murray was taken #2 overall in the 2012 draft ahead of Trouba, Ceci and Maatta. All have amassed similar (or much better in the case of Trouba) stats and are regarded in higher esteem as they have stayed away from serious injury while Murray has been injury prone. The injury-prone part is why has CBJ faithful is wanting to distance themselves from Murray. His on-ice talent is what the front office and coaching staff would like to see for a full injury-free season.
When healthy he could be valued as high as a $5M contract. But he hasn't stayed healthy and that is a real risk that has to be addressed with this contact. Given his track record with injuries and his on-ice performance (and potential, he is only 25 years old) the CBJ may offer $3M - $4M per year. Murray has good argument for higher $ as he was getting top-pair minutes coming down the stretch and would hopefully fill that role in the future. A two-to-three year deal could give him a chance to prove his worth and durability allowing him to sign a higher dollar UFA deal. It would be a gamble for Murray, but may be looked on as favorable by Jarmo. A sub-$4M contract would also provide Columbus flexibility to attract a high-end free agent.
If the Jackets part with Murray what does that mean?It could mean the acquisition of an NHL roster player or a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick. As for the line up, it means that Seth and Zach would occupy the first pair with Savard and Nutivaara as the second and Kukan and Gavrikov rounding out the bottom pair. That last pair is inexperienced and highly questionable. Any injury to a defensemen would leave the Jackets scrambling with Peeke or Harrington as the only viable options. This is not a good situation in front of a new-to-the-NHL and new-to-starting netminder tandem.
I hold to my prior assessment that Murray should be re-signed.
Tell me what you would do with Murray and the Jackets defense.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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