Columbus Blue Jackets Trade Oliver Bjorkstrand to Seattle in Exchange for a 3rd and 4th Round Pick in the 2023 NHL Draft

The Blue Jackets announced they traded forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a third- and a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Bjorkstrand, taken in the third round by the Blue Jackets in the 2013 NHL Draft, has played his entire professional career in Columbus and emerged as one of the team's more dependable scoring threats in recent years, topping 20 goals in three of the last four seasons, and recording a career-high 28 goals and 57 points last season.

He was a fan favorite, but when the organization signed Patrik Laine to a four-year contract, the Blue Jackets were forced into freeing up money to remain under the league's salary cap.

“It was a difficult decision to trade Oliver, who has given so much to our organization over the past seven years,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said.  “However, a move like this needed to be made in order for us to be salary cap compliant after the Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine signings.  We are thankful for Oliver’s many contributions to our club, on and off the ice, and wish he and his wife, Jill, all the best in Seattle.”