Blue Jackets Re-Sign Luke Tuch

According to a team announcement, the Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Luke Tuch to a two-year, two-way contract. PuckPedia reported that Tuch will earn an $850K salary in the NHL during the 2025-26 season, and a $900K salary in 2026-27. Additionally, he’ll earn $100K and $110K in the AHL, respectively.

Tuch, 24, is the younger brother of Washington Capitals winger Alex Tuch. Instead of playing for Boston College like his brother, Luke committed to their rivals, the Boston University Terriers, for his collegiate career. That commitment was made after the Montreal Canadiens drafted Tuch with the 47th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Draft.

It took a few years for Tuch to make much impact in the NCAA. Throughout his first three seasons, the Syracuse, NY native registered 21 goals and 41 points in 82 games with a +15 rating. In his senior season, during the 2023-24 campaign, Tuch had his best year, scoring 10 goals and 30 points in 39 games playing alongside Macklin Celebrini.

Unfortunately, Tuch’s transition to the professional ranks hasn’t gone as smoothly. Becoming a full-time player with the AHL’s Laval Rocket, Tuch has registered only 15 goals and 28 points in 114 games with a +8 rating. Given his tepid production with the Rocket, Tuch became a change-of-scenery candidate this summer.

That’s exactly what happened. In the run-up to the 2026 NHL Draft, the Canadiens traded Tuch to the Blue Jackets for Hunter McKown, who was an undrafted collegiate free agent signing by Columbus. Now, Tuch will have a fresh start to his professional career and will likely play much, if not all, of the 2026-27 season with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.