The New Jersey Devils have bolstered their defence.

 

The team has acquired defenceman  Ryan Murray from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for New Jersey’s 2021 fifth-round pick, the team announced.

"Ryan is a smart, two-way defenceman who fills a need on the left side of our top four," said Executive vice-president/general manager Tom Fitzgerald. "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."

Murray, 27, scored two goals and seven assists with four penalty minutes in 27 games last season with the Blue Jackets, while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time (19:57). In the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he added one goal in nine contests.

The move means Columbus has cleared out $11.8 million in cap space this week in advance of the opening of free agency on Friday.