Blue Jackets sign Hudson Fasching to one-year deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Monday that they have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with veteran winger Hudson Fasching.

“Hudson Fasching is a hard-working, responsible winger with size who plays with a great deal of energy,” general manager Don Waddell said via the team’s press release. “His high character, experience and versatility strengthens our organizational depth up front and we’re happy to welcome him to the Blue Jackets.”

Fasching was a fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2013 NHL draft, and he has racked up 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points in 175 career NHL games.

The Minnesota native has appeared in at least 43 regular season games in each of the last three years as a member of the New York Islanders, with prior stints coming as a member of the Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes.

Fasching was a three-year standout at the University of Minnesota before turning pro, putting up 94 points in 115 games during his collegiate career.

He also made Team USA’s roster at the IIHF U20 World Junior Championships in 2014 and 2015.

Waddell and the Blue Jackets have made a strong commitment to fortifying the team’s bottom six forward group this offseason.

Columbus acquired Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche earlier this summer, and while Fasching may be more likely to start the year as a healthy extra or in the AHL, his presence will provide valuable depth and experience in the event of an injury.

The Jackets are a trendy pick to make the Stanley Cup playoffs after a 40-33-9 season that saw them come close last year. With a strong young nucleus that’s only going to get better and some notable additions to fill holes throughout the lineup, it’s easy to see why.