The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Thursday that they have claimed forward Christian Fischer off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings and loaned forward Mikael Pyyhtia to the Cleveland Monsters, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate.

 

Fischer, 27, has registered 62 goals and 75 assists, while averaging 12:48 of ice time in 522 career games with the Red Wings and Arizona Coyotes since making his NHL debut in 2016-17. He posted 6-20-26 and 47 PIM in 124 appearances with Detroit over the past two seasons.

 

“Christian Fischer brings additional size, versatility and energy to our forward group,” said Waddell. “He’s played in over 500 NHL games, possesses great character and will fit in very well with our team and how we play.”

 

The 6-2, 212-pound forward was originally selected by the Coyotes in the second round at the 2015 NHL Draft. He set a career high in games played with 13-14-27 in 80 appearances with the Coyotes in 2022-23.

 

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Fischer collected 22-28-50 in 63 career AHL appearances with the Tucson Roadrunners and Springfield Falcons from 2015-17. He played junior hockey for the Windsor Spitfires, spent time with the U.S. National Development Team, and helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF U18 World Championships.

 

Pyyhtia, 23, has collected 4-3-7 in 47 games with the Blue Jackets this season. Selected by Columbus in the fourth round at the 2020 NHL Draft, the forward has posted 4-6-10 in 66 career NHL appearances since making his league debut in 2022-23. 

 

The 6-0, 176-pound Turku, Finland native has added 1-5-6 in 10 contests with the Monsters in 2024-25. He’s registered 11-26-37 in 77 career games with Cleveland since making his North American pro debut at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.