The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded veteran defenceman Ryan Murray to the New Jersey Devils for a fifth-round pick.
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic was first to report the trade.
Murray, 27, has one more year on his contract and will carry a $4.6 million cap hit and $4.7 million salary next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent. The second-overall pick in 2012, Murray was limited to only 27 games last season due to a variety of injuries but did skate in the playoffs.
"Ryan is a smart, two-way defenceman who fills a need on the left side of our top four," said Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald in a statement. "His poise, defensive acumen and transitional game will pair nicely with our current defencemen on the right side and he will play an important role for us."
Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports now that salary was retained by the Blue Jackets in the trade.
The move caps a busy day for the Blue Jackets as the club tries to shed salary ahead of the free agent market opening Friday. Earlier Thursday, the Blue Jackets bought out the final three years of forward Alexander Wennberg's contract and traded defenceman Markus Nutivaara to the Florida Panthers. All told, the three moves opened up more than $11 million in cap space.
"Ryan is a very good player and quality person and we thank him for everything he has done as a member of our organization and wish him well in the future," said Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen in a statement.
