Murray has broken hand, out indefinitely

Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray suffered a broken hand while blocking a shot early in Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Buffalo, The Dispatch has learned.

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen declined to elaborate but said the club will learn how severe Murray’s injury is, and how much time he’ll be out of the lineup, after tests today.

The typical absence for a broken hand is four to six weeks, which would end Murray’s regular season and call into question his postseason availability unless the Blue Jackets win a firstround series for the first time in franchise history.

The injury occurred at 3:02 of the first period, when Murray and the Blue Jackets were killing a penalty. A slap shot by Buffalo’s Tyler Ennis struck Murray on the right hand as he turned and defended the shooting lane between Ennis and Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.

Murray finished

the shift but then left the game and did not return.

It’s been a difficult season for Murray, who lost playing time and a spot on the top two pairs when rookie Zach Werenski emerged as a big-time talent and paired with Seth Jones on the top pairing. Jack Johnson and David Savard have meshed well on the second pair.

But at least Murray had been mostly healthy.

The early part of his career was pockmarked by long-term injuries. He had shoulder surgery when he was in the junior ranks, and later a pair of knee surgeries.

Last season, however, Murray was one of only three players — Boone Jenner and Gregory Campbell were the others — to play in all 82 games for the Blue Jackets.

He has played in 60 of the club’s 67 games this season, totaling two goals, nine assists and a plus-3 rating. His average ice time (18:20 per game) is more than 4½ minutes less per game than last season.

The Blue Jackets made a trade-deadline deal for defenseman Kyle Quincey, who figures to play a permanent role on the third pair and probably will absorb some of Murray’s penaltykilling duties.