The Columbus Blue Jackets added winger Christian Fischer off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, giving the team another bottom-six option as they continue a playoff push.
Fischer, 28, was waived by the Red Wings on Wednesday in his second season with the team. He had one goal and six assists for seven points in 45 games with the team this season, while averaging 11:09 per game.
His best season came with the Arizona Coyotes (now Utah Hockey Club) in his rookie year of 2017-18, when he had 15 goals and 18 assists. He came close to that in the 2022-23, also with the Coyotes, when he scored 13 goals and had 14 assists.
“Christian Fischer brings additional size, versatility and energy to our forward group,” said General Manager Don Waddell. “He’s played in over 500 NHL games, possesses great character and will fit in very well with our team and how we play.”
The 6'2", 210lb Fischer primarily plays right wing, and adds depth to the Blue Jackets. He carries a cap hit of $1.1 million and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Fischer played against the Blue Jackets twice just last week, including 5:09 in Saturday's Stadium Series battle.
The NHL's trade deadline is set for 3 p.m. Friday, with the Blue Jackets still expected to be in the market to add a middle-six winger.
QUICK THOUGHTS:
Adding Fischer probably isn't going to move the needle, but the Blue Jackets have already been pleasantly surprised once this season via the waiver wire (Dante Fabbro) and this is a move that doesn't cost Columbus any assets. Fischer will likely bounce back and forth between the press box as a healthy scratch and a limited role in the bottom six, but he is an NHL veteran of over 500 games and Don Waddell has done nothing yet that hasn't worked out.
