The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Mikael Pyyhtia to a two-year contract extension through the 2027-28 National Hockey League season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today. The contract is a two-way NHL/American Hockey League deal for the 2026-27 season and a one-way NHL deal in 2027-28.
"Mikael is a versatile, two-way forward who brings speed, energy and competitiveness to the lineup,” said Waddell. “He was very good in Cleveland last season, and we are excited about his future."
Pyyhtia (pronounced PYEW-tee-uh), 24, has registered five goals and six assists for 11 points with eight penalty minutes and 62 shots on goal in 71 career games with the Blue Jackets since making his NHL debut at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. He collected 1-0-1 in five appearances with the club in 2025-26 and set single-season career highs with 4-3-7 in 47 outings in 2024-25. He was originally selected by Columbus in the fourth-round, 114th overall, at the 2020 NHL Draft.
The 6-0, 178-pound forward has added 34-62-96 with 30 PIM and 274 shots in 154 career AHL games with the Cleveland Monsters over the past four seasons. He set AHL career highs in 2025-26 with 21-28-49, seven power play goals, three shorthanded tallies and 126 shots on goal in 59 contests, leading the Monsters in SH goals and ranking second in goals, points and PP goals (tied) and ranking third in assists. The forward has added 4-7-11 in 28 career Calder Cup Playoffs games over the past three campaigns.
The Turku, Finland native played previously with TPS in the country’s top professional league (Liiga) from 2019-23, collecting 31-32-63 in 140 contests and winning the silver medal with the club twice (2021 and 2022). He also suited up for Finland at the 2025 IIHF World Championships and 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships (bronze medal).
