Mathieu Olivier, Columbus Blue Jackets (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Blue Jackets Sign Mathieu Olivier to 6-Year Extension

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Christopher Babos | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 10:34 AM ET

On Wednesday morning, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced a six-year, $18M contract extension through 2031 for forward Mathieu Olivier. The 28-year-old has spent the last three seasons in Columbus developing into a critical piece for the Blue Jackets lineup. The NHL veteran will receive a raise next season from $1.1 million this season to $3 million per season through 2031.

“Mathieu Olivier has emerged as a key contributor on and off the ice thanks to his work ethic, dedication, leadership and other intangibles that are critical to a team’s success,” Columbus general manager Dom Waddell said. “Ensuring that Mathieu remains a Blue Jacket was a priority for us and we are ecstatic that he and his family will be part of our Blue Jackets family for many years.”

Columbus acquired Olivier from the Nashville Predators for a fourth-round pick (#122) at the 2022 NHL Draft. The depth forward has contributed 48 points, 573 hits, and 264 penalty minutes in 181 games for the Blue Jackets. While he is still looking for his first postseason experience with Columbus, Olivier experienced five NHL playoff games with the Predators between two playoff runs in 2021 and 2022. Both seasons ended in the opening round to the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, respectively.

This season, the undrafted winger has 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points in 61 games. His 232 hits are second in the NHL behind Kiefer Sherwood’s mind-numbing 323 hits. Olivier also holds the silver medal position with 113 penalty minutes (PIM) behind 11 fighting majors this season. He trails Boston Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov’s 119 minutes of hockey jail time. The first Mississippi-born player in the NHL used the same style of play to earn his previous contract extension with the Ohio-based franchise in the 2023 offseason.

The Blue Jackets are 30-23-8 with 68 points, which tops a tightly paced Eastern Conference wild card race. Columbus returns to action tomorrow night with a game against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.