BLUE JACKETS' BJORKSTRAND SIGNS 5-YEAR EXTENSION

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand to a five-year, $27-million extension through the 2025-26 season Wednesday. Bjorkstrand, 25, has exceeded 20 goals in back-to-back campaigns and led the team in goals (21), game-winning goals (five) and multipoint efforts (11) in 2019-20. “Oliver is a gifted player that has shown steady improvement throughout his career to this point and we couldn't be happier that he will be a Blue Jacket for a very long time,” Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “He is a dangerous offensive player, and we believe he will be an even more impactful player for us as he continues to develop and mature in this league.” A third-round pick by Columbus in the 2013 draft, Bjorkstrand has accumulated 133 points in 246 games since 2016.