Murray had his knee scoped on Friday, and the team announced that the number two overall pick in 2012 will miss four-to-six weeks, a time frame that puts his potential return anywhere from the final week of the season to the Eastern Conference semi-final series - either way, it's a huge blow to the Blue Jackets.
Already missing veteran blue liner Fedor Tyutin courtesy of an ankle injury suffered in the Sochi Olympic games, Columbus has nevertheless overtaken the Detroit Red Wings for the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but the loss of Murray makes holding onto it just that much more difficult.
“It’s so disappointing, for him and for us,” right wing R.J. Umberger said. “I know he wants to be a part of this. For us, he was just such a constant back there. You never had to worry about him."
“I’m sure there have been guys at that age come into the league with that much poise, but me, personally, I haven’t seen it." Umberger continued. "He could handle anything on the ice, and the way he handles the criticism and coaching behind the scenes - he just handled it all.”
Murray impressed not only teammates, but also his coaches, who have done a tremendous job of getting the Blue Jackets in position to make the post-season despite a plague of injuries.
"He's a young kid, so it’s something he’ll be able to get over. He still has a long career ahead of him,” coach Todd Richards said. “The impact right now … it’s a big impact. He was a real, real bright spot for us all
year.”
Though the Blue Jackets are clinging to that eighth seed - being chased by four teams that are within four points of Columbus - the Jackets' are only three points shy of gaining as high as a fifth seed, as eight teams slug it out down the stretch.
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