The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired forward Cliff Pu from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenceman Markus Nutivaara, the teams announced Thursday.
Pu, 22, registered two goals and 10 points in 63 career AHL games with the Springfield Thunderbirds and Charlotte Checkers. During the 2019-20 season, Pu had two assists with the Thunderbirds, along with a goal and six points with the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
The Richmond Hill, Ont., native was selected in the third-round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, 69th overall. Pu previously played for the Kingston Frontenacs, London Knights and Oshawa Generals during his OHL career.
Nutivaara, 26, recorded three goals and nine points in 39 appearances with Columbus during the 2019-20 season. Since his NHL debut in the 2016-17 season, Nutivaara has tallied 17 goals and 60 points in 244 career games, plus a goal and an assist in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Nutivaara was selected by the Blue Jackets in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Draft, 189th overall.