The last remaining RFA to play for the Blue Jackets last season will be around for at least one more year. On Wednesday, the club announced a one year, two-way contract extension for forward Mikael Pyyhtia.
Pyyhtia was thrust into 47 games with the Jackets in 2024-25 due to mounting injuries and an overall lack of depth. He scored 4 goals and 7 points, while posting a -11 in an average TOI of 12:06 per game. He was mostly used in depth situations and defensive zone minutes, with some penalty killing time sprinkled in.
The bulk of his ice time came when both Justin Danforth and Boone Jenner were out of the lineup, forcing the need for a more defensive minded forward than some of the other options available within the system. All in all, I thought he did okay in this role, even though he did not stand out in any particular facet.
This two-way extension for NHL league minimum means that Mikael will likely be back in the same role again this season. I expect him to battle alongside Zach Aston-Reese for minutes as the team's #13/14 forward, sliding into the bottom six as necessary.
More than likely, he will spend some or most of his season back in the AHL, playing for the Cleveland Monsters. If he can find some of the offense that has been missing in his game over the last couple of years, he will be more prepared for a greater role when NHL opportunities do arise. Playing against easier competition should help him gain confidence in his overall game. He has shown us in the past that he can contribute alongside skilled players.
Originally a fourth round pick (#114 overall) from the 2020 Draft, Pyyhtia has seen NHL minutes in each of the three years spent under his entry level contract. While we can't really consider him a prospect any longer, I do think he could still establish himself as an important piece of this team's forward depth in the near future.
A one year extension here might be his last chance to prove his worth within the organization as other prospects continue to develop within the system. Will he become a full-time NHL player by the end of this season? Or is he destined to sign another similar deal next summer?
The answers to these questions rest on his shoulders. It will be interesting to see how he responds to playing more minutes with the Cleveland Monsters this year.