Blue Jackets ink LW Huselius

Jul 3, 2008 - 2:28 AM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- After spending the majority of the last two days bolstering their blue line, the Columbus Blue Jackets turned their attention to offense Wednesday night, signing left wing Kristian Huselius to a four-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but TSN of Canada is reporting the deal is worth $4.75 million per season.

A second-round pick of Florida in 1997, Huselius has reached the 20-goal plateau five times during his six seasons in the NHL, setting a career high with 34 tallies in 2006-07 while with Calgary. Last season, the 29-year-old Swede netted 25 goals and added 41 assists in 81 games with the Flames.

"Kristian is a highly skilled player with good vision and hockey sense who has performed at a very high level throughout his career," Columbus general manager Scott Howson said. "We are very pleased to have a player and a person of his caliber join the Blue Jackets organization."

A finalist for the Calder Trophy in 2002, Huselius has collected 132 goals and 177 assists in 473 career games with the Panthers and Flames.

Prior to joining the NHL, Huselius played five seasons in his homeland. In 2000-01 with Frolunda, he notched 32 goals, 35 assists, 67 points, 10 power-play tallies, five shorthanders and nine game-winners, becoming the first player to lead the Swedish League in all six categories.

Huselius also has represented Sweden at the IIHF World Championship from 2000-02, finishing the 2002 tournament as the second-leading scorer with 11 points in nine games.