Considering how important the Blue Jackets' young players - particularly those on defense - were to their success in 2016-17, it's not a surprise that GM Jarmo Kekalainen opted to protected 23-year-old Ryan Murray in the expansion draft.
Murray was the No. 2 overall pick in 2012, taken by former Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson, and there was some delight at their draft table when the Edmonton Oilers opted to select forward Nail Yakupov with the first overall pick.
Yes, friends, the Oilers had the No. 1 pick that year, too.
As it turns out, Murray's protected status is not shared by many players who were drafted along with him at the top of the 2012 board. Yakupov, who has since been traded from Edmonton to St. Louis, was left unprotected along with several others:
5 of the top 10 picks from the 2012 Draft were NOT protected:
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) June 18, 2017
Yakupov, Reinhart, Dumba, Pouliot, Koekkoek
Murray played a different role on John Tortorella's team this past season, but he provided a solid depth presence on the third pairing with rookie Markus Nutivaara. If he remains on the Blue Jackets roster going forward, they'll be better for it.
Other 2012 top-10 picks who were protected by their clubs: Alex Galchenyuk (Montreal), Hampus Lindholm (Anaheim), Morgan Rielly (Toronto), Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg).
This is just another reminder that Nashville star Filip Forsberg - traded by Washington for Martin Erat (gulp) - was the *11th* overall pick in the 2012 draft.
