The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to a three-year contract.
Bjorkstrand set career highs with 11 goals and 29 assists in 82 games this past season, his third in the NHL.
“Oliver is a gifted player with a tremendous shot and scoring instincts who has improved steadily during his first three seasons as a pro,” said Blue Jackets general manager Kekalainen in a release. “He is just scratching the surface of the type of player he can be and we believe he has the potential to be a dynamic offensive player for our club.”
The 23-year-old was the last unsigned restricted free agent on the Blue Jackets roster, leaving Kekalainen to deal with star winger Artemi Panarin.
Panarin had 27 goals and 82 points in his first season as a Blue Jacket and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The 26-year-old doesn’t appear to be in any rush to sign an extension to remain in Columbus, and Kekalainen has been reportedly testing the market to see what could be recouped in a trade.
July 15, 2018