The Blue Jackets and GM Scott Howson were tempted to deal down, but they opted to bolster their blue line for the future by selecting Ryan Murray out of the Western Hockey League.
Murray was rated the top defenseman in a deep draft for blue liners, and after dominating during his WHL career with the Everett Silvertips, he’ll join a Columbus organization in search of good things to finally happen.
If Murray is able to make the Blue Jackets next season -- and many draft-watchers think he’s ready to make the jump -- he’ll team up with Jack Johnson and James Wisniewski to give Columbus a potentially formidable blue line.