The Blue Jackets are high on Dean Kukan, and they're keeping him around.
GM Jarmo Kekalainen announced Friday that the team has re-signed the pending restricted free agent (RFA) defenseman to a two-year contract extension. The new deal, which takes effect July 1, keeps Kukan under contract with the Blue Jackets through the 2021-22 season.
Kukan, 26, was signed as a free agent out of the Swedish Hockey League in 2015. He's played 77 career games with the Blue Jackets and has a goal to go with 13 assists. He also played 10 games in last year's Stanley Cup playoffs, recording a goal and two assists over two series.
"Dean is a smart and quick, puck-moving defenseman that has improved steadily since joining our organization in 2015," Kekalainen said in a statement. "We are very happy that he will continue to be an important part of our club's deep and talented group of defensemen."
Kukan is currently out of the lineup due to a knee injury, and has five points (one goal and four assists) over 33 games this season.
