FEATURE: Murray Excited for New Start with Devils

Executive Vice President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald is focused on one thing this week - making his organization better. Fitzgerald added eight prospects during the NHL Draft on Tuesday and Wednesday but the work didn't end there. Thursday night, on the eve of Free Agency, the Devils traded their 2021 fifth-round pick to Columbus in return for defenseman Ryan Murray.
"Ryan is a smart, two-way defenseman who fills a need on the left side of our top four," said Fitzgerald following the trade announcement. "His poise, defensive acumen and transitional game will pair nicely with our current defensemen on the right side and he will play an important role for us."

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The 2020-21 season will be Murray's eighth season in the NHL after spending the last seven years with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He hopes to contribute as much as possible in this fresh start.
"The seven years, I look back and yeah in a way it seems like forever, in a way it just kind of flew by," said Murray. "It's just kind of a learning experience and just going out there and playing your game. I feel like as a person I've become a better person and a better player after everything in Columbus and I just kind of want to use that going forward."
What can Devils fans expect from Murray?
"I think I'm a two-way defender, you know defense first and jump up in the rush. Try to pitch in offensively when I can, and do my job in the back end. And try to play a tight-checking game and kind of a pass-first guy," said Murray on his game. "Whatever I can do to help the team win, whatever they want to use me for … [I'll] do whatever I can with whatever opportunity I get."
Murray already is familiar with one Devils defenseman, Damon Severson. Both Murray and Severson are from Saskatchewan and have played against each other in the past.

"We played against each other quite a bit growing up and yeah just had dinners with him on the road," Murray said. "We just talked briefly [Thursday night] … we're both pretty excited."
The newest member of the Devils franchise has another connection to New Jersey as he grew up following the career of Devils legend Scott Niedermayer.
"Growing up he was definitely one of my favorite players. I think my dad kind of pointed him out when I was younger and just said 'watch this guy.' Obviously, he's one of the best players to have ever play. Easy guy to like, and easy guy to watch."
As Murray gets to know his new teammates and organization over the next few weeks, he is optimistic about the new opportunity with a new franchise.
"Just really exciting to get a fresh start, go to a new experience, a new team and I'm really excited to get going."