COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Columbus Blue Jackets have bought out the final two years of defenseman Fedor Tyutin’s contract, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. Tyutin immediately becomes an unrestricted free agent.

“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. “I want to thank Fedor for his many contributions and wish he, his wife, Sarah, and their family all the best moving forward.”

Tyutin, 32, registered 39 goals and 146 assists for 185 points with 351 penalty minutes in 553 games played with the Blue Jackets, ranking second on the club’s all-time games played list behind Rick Nash (674). Acquired by the club via trade from the New York Rangers on July 2, 2008, he has tallied 54-197-251 and 510 penalty minutes in 803 career NHL games. The Izhevsk, Russia native also appeared in three Olympic Games (2006, 2010, 2014) and won gold medals at the 2008 IIHF World Championships and 2002 and 2003 IIHF World Junior Championships.