Blue Jackets sign defenseman Nutivaara to entry-level deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenseman Markus Nutivaara to a two-year entry-level contract, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced Tuesday.

The 21-year-old was a seventh-round selection in the 2015 draft.

After recording just two points in 35 games in 2014-15 - his first year playing in Finland's SM-Liiga - Nutivaara broke through with 22 points in 50 games this past season.