Restricted free agent forward Patrik Laine signed a four-year, $34.8 million contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

The move was announced a few hours before the deadline to accept qualifying offers at 5 p.m. ET on Friday.

“One of our priorities this summer was signing Patrik Laine to a contract extension. He is a special player, one of the truly elite goal scorers in the National Hockey League, and he has fit in extremely well with our group since his arrival,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said.

“He is an integral part of the team we are building in Columbus, and we couldn’t be happier that he will continue to be a Blue Jacket for the foreseeable future.”

Laine, 24, recorded 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) in 56 games last season with the Blue Jackets.

He has 327 points (176 goals, 151 assists) in 407 career games with the Jets and Blue Jackets since being selected by Winnipeg with the second overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft.

The Blue Jackets acquired Laine and Columbus native Jack Roslovic from the Jets on Jan. 23, 2021 in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

–Field Level Media