It won’t come as too big of a shock, but Blue Jackets 2012 first-round pick Ryan Murray has his lockout plans in order.
Ryan Rishaug of TSN.com reports Murray will start his season with his junior team, the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, and could be there as soon as Thursday.
The one issue for Murray heading back to Everett centered around whether or not he’d be able to get out of there once the lockout ended. Those worries were put to rest as a recent report told us of an apparent agreement between the NHL and CHL to allow pro teams access to their players once the lockout was through.
With that door still open, Murray can start the year in juniors and re-join the Blue Jackets if/when the season begins.
Columbus has a lot of depth on the blue line, but Murray’s talent and status as the No. 2 overall pick have fans and coaches eager to see him in action with the big club.