Blue Jackets Sign Forward Prospect

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Mikael Pyyhtia to a three-year, entry-level contract. 

The Blue Jackets selected Pyyhtia with the 114th-overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. At this juncture, they have to be ecstatic about their fourth-round selection, as he had himself a breakout year with TPS Turku of Liiga. In 56 games, he scored 21 goals and added 14 helpers on the year. This is especially impressive when noting that he had just three goals and seven points in 35 games last season. 

Pyyhtia will need more time to develop into an NHL-caliber player, but with this ELC, it's clear that Columbus believes that he could become one shortly. It will be interesting to see how the 20-year-old forward progresses from here, but it's hard not to feel optimistic about him. 

Photo Credit: © David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports