Blue Jackets buy out final 2 years of Tyutin's contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets are trimming some salary.

The club has bought out the final two years of defenseman Fedor Tyutin’s contract, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced.

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"Fedor Tyutin is a pro in every sense of the word and has been an important player for the Columbus Blue Jackets for many years, but this decision is a result of the current depth on our blue line and to add some financial flexibility for our club moving forward," said Kekalainen.

The move will save the team $3,291,667 in cap space for 2016-17 and $2,541,667 in 2017-18, but the buyout means he remains on the books for the following two seasons at a cap hit of $1,458,333, according to General Fanager.

A second-round pick of the New York Rangers in 2001, Tyutin recorded 39 goals and 146 assists in eight seasons with the Blue Jackets.

Tyutin immediately becomes an unrestricted free agent.