After months of speculation, the protection list have been revealed. The Columbus Blue Jackets make the only logical decision and protect Ryan Murray instead of Jack Johnson.
The discussion among Columbus Blue Jackets fans on who the team will protect defensively has been raging on for months. Should the Jackets protect Ryan Murray or Jack Johnson has been a hot topic all over CBJ land.
And quite honestly it was painful to listen to such an idiotic debate. There should have never been any doubt in fans mind’s who the team was going to protect. I get that everyone loves the American veteran Jack Johnson. There isn’t much to get that jazzed up about after that though.
Johnson has consistently shown his inconsistency over the seasons in Columbus. The ups and down have me motion sick. He also doesn’t hit any of those “ups” unless playing with David Savard.
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Finally his contract situation is much worse than Murray’s. Johnson is 30 with a $4.3 million cap hit and an UFA after this season. Murray is an RFA and only has a $2.8 million cap hit. Johnson isn’t coming back to the CBJ after next season, so why protect him now.
Murray’s Massive Upside
The former #2 overall pick is still only 23-years-old. Ryan Murray has had injury issues but his upside is still massive.
Murray has shown his ability to play with any of the three defenseman John Tortorella rotated in the bottom pairing. This ability to play with anyone on the bottom pairing is invaluable.
The Jackets have up to four possible defenseman that can play in the bottom pairing this year; Scott Harrington, Markus Nutivaara, Gabriel Carlsson, and Vladislav Gavrikov. Murray’s ability to play with this guys is reason enough to protect him over Johnson.
The obvious decision was made and Murray was protected. If Johnson is taken by Vegas it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. I don’t see that happening though and all Johnson lovers should rest easy. Both should be on the starting roster in October.