Mathieu Olivier is a Columbus Blue Jacket for the foreseeable future.
The Blue Jackets have signed Olivier to a six-year, $18M contract, according to multiple reports.
The deal is worth a total of $18M, carrying an average annual value of $3M. This extension keeps Olivier with the Blue Jackets through the 2030-31 season.
Mathieu Olivier contract breakdown ($3M AAV):
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 5, 2025
Year 1, $4M
Year 2, $3.9M
Year 3, $2.9M
Year 4, $2.4M
Year 5, $2.4M
Year 6, $2.4M
10-team No-Trade Clause
Olivier, who just turned 28, is in the midst of a career year. His 12 goals through 61 games have more than double his previous career high of five, and his 21 points on the season are also career bests.
His 228 hits rank second-most in the league and leads the team by a wide margin. Zach Aston-Reese is second with 137 and Sean Kuraly, with 128, is the only other Blue Jacket in triple digits in the category.
With 113 minutes in the box, Olivier also leads the league in penalty minutes — 55 of which have come via 11 fighting majors. Olivier has gained a reputation as one of the premier fighters in the league.
But as a career-high 12 goals would allude to, Olivier has developed a bit of a scoring touch this season. In Saturday's win over the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium, Olivier scored one of the most memorable goals in his career when he put the Blue Jackets up 3-1 with a second-period goal.
Third period is ready to begin with the #CBJ up 3-1 over the #LGRW. Columbus' third goal came with just 2:05 left in the second from Olivier, who had a great shift that led to the goal. Clears it, dumps it, keeps it, scores it. Things of beauty.pic.twitter.com/lXTSTRv9RO
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 2, 2025
Columbus originally acquired Olivier in 2022 from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
From the official release from GM Don Waddell: “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.”
For his career, Olivier has played in a total of 229 games over six seasons, 181 with the Blue Jackets. In that time, he has 25 goals (22 with Columbus) and 30 assists (26 with Columbus).
Quick Thoughts:
"Earned, not given" has been a motto of the Blue Jackets this season under head coach Dean Evason. This contract extension is the epitome of that. Olivier's evolution since coming over from the Predators has been remarkable. His on-ice play has improved dramatically, but more than that it's the leadership and the physical play that he brings to the club that makes keeping him here long-term the right move. Olivier's time on ice averages 14:29 this season, an increase of almost exactly three minutes over his average ice time in his first two seasons in Columbus.
