The Blue Jackets have placed forward Mikael Pyyhtia on waivers this afternoon, hoping to send him to the Cleveland Monsters. This was originally reported on X by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Harkins (TB) & Pyyhtia (CLB) on waivers https://t.co/Lj0dPwjc3M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 6, 2026
Pyyhtia came to camp this year with a steep uphill battle to win a roster spot. With 13 forwards on NHL-only contracts, and one of the team's top prospects (Luca Del Bel Belluz) now requiring waivers, it was not going to be easy for the 24-year-old Finn to crack the lineup.
Unfortunately, his chances diminished further when he suffered a lower body injury that shortened his training camp. Now that he's healthy, the team will send him back to the Monsters, where he really has nothing left to prove.
A big boost to the AHL lineup.
Nobody is more excited for this move than the Cleveland Monsters coaching staff, who are getting a top of the lineup AHL player. Last year, Pyyhtia finished second on the team in scoring with 48 points in 59 games.
If he clears waivers and does get sent down, he will be the highest scoring returning player from last year's squad, as Del Bel Belluz was the only player that finished ahead of him.
The 6'0", 177 pound winger plays a solid two-way game as well, which should make him a viable candidate to be one of the top wingers in the AHL this year. Again, all of this assumes he clears.
It is a little bit surprising that he hasn't been able to make the jump to the NHL full-time to this point. Throughout the past four years, he's had several cups of coffee in Columbus, accruing 71 NHL games played while posting a 5-6-11, -19 stat line.
At this point, it's possible that he may never become an NHL player within this organization. This is actually why waivers exist. Another team could see him as a better fit for their roster, snag him up and give him a chance this year.
I'm not sure that's feasible, however. Pyyhtia cleared waivers around this time last year. Which makes it somewhat surprising that the Blue Jackets signed him to a 2-year contract extension over the summer.
They can't really call him a prospect anymore, and he hasn't yet become an NHL player. Unfortunately, it may be time to write off the 2020 4th round pick as a "4A" type of player. He's too good for the AHL, but has not yet proven worthy of NHL minutes.
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