TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Jackets being 'careful' with Murray

Ryan Murray just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to injuries.
The Blue Jackets defenseman is on the shelf again, this time with a groin injury that occured in a preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks this past Tuesday at Nationwide Arena.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen confirmed Sunday that Murray sustained a soft-tissue injury after being kicked in the groin area - an issue that is expected to keep him shelved for a couple weeks and could prevent him from starting the regular season at full health.
"We've just got to be careful with that," coach John Tortorella said Saturday, after the Blue Jackets' 7-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. "I think it's going to be a little bit of time with him. I don't have the full report or where it stands, but that's not a day-to-day thing right now with Murray."

Murray also took a big hit along the boards in the neutral zone in the game against the Blackhawks, delivered by Brandon Davidson, but the Blue Jackets said the injury stems from an accidental kick in the same game.
Murray has missed extensive time the past two seasons with various injuries, including a back issue last season that sidelined him for 35 games between Nov. 28 and Feb. 20. He had 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 44 games, getting off to a good start prior to being injured Nov. 27 in Montreal.
Murray, whom the Blue Jackets took with the second overall pick in 2012, missed 22 games in 2016-17 with a broken hand and has missed 143 games because of injuries in his five NHL seasons.
Murray agreed to a one-year contract extension this season as a restricted free agent, with the hope of earning more ice time following the departures of veteran defensemen Ian Cole and Jack Johnson in free agency.
That opportunity could still be waiting for him when healthy, but the latest issue is another challenge for the 24-year old puck-mover to overcome.
NEWS AND NOTES
Defenseman Zach Werenksiis awaiting full clearance for contact but has gone through a couple practices with controlled contact and said his surgically-repaired shoulder feels good.
Werenski played during 4-on-4 scrimmage time during practice Sunday at Nationwide Arena, prior to the Jackets' 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He plans to return for a preseason game Friday at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Kevin Stenlund has taken some significant developmental strides this month.
The 6-foot-4 Swedish center, who came to the U.S. last season to play with the Cleveland Monsters, led the Blue Jackets to a championship in the 2018 NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Mich., (Sept. 7-11) and carried that success into camp.
After an adjustment period early, Stenlund has stood out positively in recent scrimmages and preseason games. He's played in two games and has three assists, including two on goals in Oliver Bjorkstrand's hat trick Saturday against the Penguins.
"I wanted to create a little more [in preseason games], but defensively I think I've been good," Stenlund said. "I feel a lot closer [to the NHL]. I feel that I can compete with these guys in the NHL locker room. I've got confidence now."
The game Saturday, in which the Penguins played superstar Sidney Crosby, added to that confidence. Stenlund shook off the nervous feelings he had early and began to play at a higher level as the game progressed.
He even won the first face-off of the game against Crosby.
"I was a little star-struck right at the beginning," Stenlund said. "I took the face-off against him at the start, so it was fun. I used to see him play and to be able to play against him, that's just a big thing for me. It does a lot, just to see that you can beat him [on a face-off] and you can compete with him."
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Brandon Dubinsky has played in two preseason games, hasn't collected a point and has a minus-4 plus/minus rating.
If this were the regular season, that might be something to fret about. Instead, it's the preseason and there are multiple factors that go into whether players are successful statistically. In Dubinsky's case, he's been paired with inexperienced players and like nearly every other skater on the team, he's likely feeling the effects of tired legs after the Jackets' grueling start camp.
On the flip side, he's in visibly better shape - the result of hard work and a better eating regimen in the offseason - and is moving around the ice a lot more fluidly. It's been noticeable.
"Much better shape," Tortorella said, when asked about Dubinsky's improved mobility. "Probably the best shape he's been in for quite a while, as I've seen him. I thought he skated pretty well [in Pittsburgh]. I just think 'Dubi's' in much better physical shape and I think he's in really good mental shape, as far as how he approaches this year."
Dubinsky fell out of favor last season, for various reasons. He wasn't used much in the Jackets' six-game playoff loss to the Washington Capitals and vowed to use the offseason to recharge his game. He worked hard on rehabbing a surgically-repaired wrist, trimmed down and is intent on earning his status back as a workhorse center.