For the third time in the last week, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced a roster signing on Monday with the addition of free agent Hudson Fasching.
On Wednesday, the club announced that forward Mikael Pyyhtia was inked to a one-year, two-way deal for the upcoming season.
The 23-year-old had four goals and three assists (seven points) in 47 games with the Blue Jackets this past season, and averaged just over 12 minutes of ice time per game in a fourth-line role.
President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell referred to Pyyhtia as a "highly competitive player that brings high-end speed, reliable two-way play and a strong work ethic to the lineup."
"We look forward to see his continued growth with the Blue Jackets organization," added Waddell.
Mikael Pyyhtia kicks it into high gear and scores shorthanded! pic.twitter.com/qkeout2vc9
— NHL (@NHL) January 5, 2025
Pyyhtia had been a restricted free agent.
Two days later, the Blue Jackets signed the final of their restricted free agents with a one-year, two-way deal for defenseman Daemon Hunt. The 23-year-old was part of the package the club received in the November 2024 trade of David Jiricek to the Minnesota Wild.
He is yet to make his Blue Jackets debut, spending his time in the Columbus organization last season with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. There, he had two goals and 12 assists (14 points) in 48 games.
"Hunt is a good, young two-way defenseman that plays a smart and controlled game," said Waddell.
Both players are likely to start the 2025-26 campaign in Cleveland but will have a chance to earn a roster spot in training camp. They are also likely to be amongst the top names for a call-up as play or injuries warrant.
Fasching, the new face to the organization, is a 30-year-old who has spent the last three seasons with the New York Islanders organization. The 6'3", 210lb winger has two goals and two assists (four points) in 43 games with the Isles in 2024-25.
Hudson Fasching with the looooonnggg wraparound goal pic.twitter.com/JlA9pjvwp8
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 21, 2023
His best NHL season came in the 2022-23 campaign, when the Apple Valley, Minnesota native scored 10 goals and added nine assists (19 points) in 49 games with a +10 plus/minus.
Fasching also spent time with the Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes (now Utah Mammoth) organizations.
"Fasching is a hard-working, responsible winger with size who plays with a great deal of energy," said Waddell. "His high character, experience and versatility strengthens our organizational depth up front and we’re happy to welcome him to the Blue Jackets.”
His deal, like the deals with Pyyhtia and Hunt, are one-year, two-way contracts. All three deals carry a cap hit of $775k for the 2025-26 season.
