The Columbus Blue Jackets and defenseman Ryan Murray have come to terms on a two-year contract extension, keeping him there through the 2017-18 season.
The new contract is a two-year / $5.65 million contract that will see him earn an average annual salary of $2.825 million. This is surely a welcomed pay raise from his previous contract, which was seeing him get paid a meager $832,000 in base salary this season. As a first pairing defenseman, alongside new arrival Seth Jones, Murray has flourished this season. After only being able to play in 12 games last season, he has been able to play in 55 this year, getting four goals, 13 assists, and averaging 22:27 of ice time per game.
The contract will also see him become the teams third highest paid defenseman, behind Jack Johnson, who’s making $5 million this season, and veteran defenseman Fedor Tyutin, who is also on $5 million for the season. The deal will also avoid Murray becoming a restricted free agent this summer.
The second overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft, Murray is seen by many in the Blue Jackets fan base as an exciting player that could potentially develop into one of the leagues top defencemen. And, no one will argue the point that the amount of games and ice time he has seen this year is proving pivotal to his development as a player.
“Ryan Murray is a talented, smart player who has been a very steady performer on our blue line and we are extremely happy to have this deal completed,” said general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. “Ryan has earned more ice time, showed steady improvement and contributed in all situations for us throughout the season. We look forward to his continued growth and development with our club.”
Murray was the 2nd overall pick of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Blue Jackets. Prior to being drafted by Columbus, he played in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips.
Main Photo via Getty Images Sport.
