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Columbus’ Richards on Murray: ‘There’s a lot to be excited about with him’

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Sure, it was just a preseason game, but the Columbus Blue Jackets had to feel good to see Ryan Murray - the second pick of the 2012 NHL Draft - score the overtime winner against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.

R.J. Umberger and Mark Letestu gathered assists on the 5-4 OT goal, as you can see below:

Blue Jackets head coach Todd Richards didn’t totally conceal his delight regarding the 19-year-old defenseman after the victory.

“There’s a lot to be excited about with him,” Richards said.

(The franchise obviously has to feel strongly about the offensively gifted blueliner, as they memorably rejected the New York Islanders’ enormous offer to poach him during that 2012 draft.)

Time will tell if the Columbus-Pittsburgh battle will bud into a rivalry - residing in the same division cannot hurt - but there was another interesting tidbit to that exhibition.

Chuck Kobasew’s bid to make the Penguins went off to a strong start, as the 31-year-old winger scored twice. His response was more subdued than the Blue Jackets’ praise of Murray, however.

“I got some opportunities. I was able to capitalize,” Kobasew said. “But it’s one day.”

Still, for both Kobasew and Murray, it was a very good one.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins