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Ryan Murray: ‘I have to show up and prove it’

Ryan Murray

Ryan Murray

AP

Ryan Murray’s injury log tells much of the story. Just 21 years old, he’s already missed huge chunks of time with knee and ankle issues. Last season, he was limited to just 12 games.

Suffice to say, this isn’t how it was supposed to go for the second overall pick in the 2012 draft.

Still, Columbus management has maintained that Murray has a bright future with the Blue Jackets -- a sentiment the young defenseman appreciates.

“It’s great to hear that they have that confidence in me, but at the same time, I have to show up and prove it,” said Murray, per NHL.com. “Right now, I’m not thinking too much about opening night, I’m just thinking about the things I need to do on a day-to-day basis to get ready.”

Murray might not ever rack up points like some of the NHL’s elite d-men, but it was his all-around game that scouts raved about during his junior days with the Everett Silvertips.

If the Blue Jackets -- with all their young talent up front, and with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal -- are truly going to evolve into a Stanley Cup contender, they’ll need their blue line to play its part.

A healthy Murray, with the freedom to develop like most other young players are afforded, would sure help.

“We have a young team and every single one of us has something to prove,” he said. “We have the pieces in here, we all truly believe that.”

Related: Kekalainen ‘worried’ about Murray’s development after three injury-plagued years