Seattle Kraken acquire RW Oliver Bjorkstrand from Columbus for 2 picks
Jul 22, 2022, 1:49 PM
Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on March 10, 2022. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Seattle Kraken made a pretty big move to boost their scoring on Friday, acquiring 27-year-old right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for 2023 third- and fourth-round draft picks.
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Bjorkstrand, who was born in Denmark, has emerged as a key player for Columbus over the last few years after making his debut in 2015-16 for the Blue Jackets.
In 382 career games, Bjorkstrand tallied 234 points (111 goals and 123 assists), including a career-high 57 points last season. The 2013 third-round pick was also a leader for the Blue Jackets, serving as an alternate captain.
“We’re excited to welcome Oliver to our organization,” said Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis in a news release making the trade official. “He’s coming off of a career year offensively playing top minutes in Columbus. His creativity and hockey sense will be good additions to our forward group.”
Per the Kraken, Bjorkstrand enters the 2022-23 season ranked ninth and 15th in career goals and points, respectively, among skaters from his draft class. He also has 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 31 playoff games.
Bjorkstrand is the fourth notable addition Seattle has made this offseason, along with winger Andre Burakovsky, who signed a lucrative five-year deal in free agency after shining for Stanley Cup champion Colorado; veteran defenseman Justin Schultz, who won two championships with Pittsburgh; and goalie Martin Jones, who’s expected to be Phillip Grubauer’s backup this season as Chris Driedger recovers from a torn ACL.
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