Blue Jackets GM: Healthy Ryan Murray would be 'this summer’s best acquisition'

Jarmo Kekalainen is finally hoping to cash in on his top pick from the 2012 NHL Draft.

The Columbus Blue Jackets selected defenseman Ryan Murray from the WHL's Everett Silvertips with the second-overall pick. The 21-year-old's development was hindered this past season by long stints on injured reserve with knee and ankle injuries, and Kekalainen believes a return to form would greatly help the team's blue line.

"We’re going to have this summer’s best acquisition if we can get a healthy Ryan Murray," the general manager told Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post Dispatch.

Murray, drafted ahead of defenseman such as Morgan Rielly, Hampus Lindholm, and Jacob Trouba, has appeared in only 78 games over two seasons for Columbus, with five goals and 19 assists to his credit.

If he can take a big step forward in 2015-16, it could go a long way toward getting the Blue Jackets back into the playoffs.