The 22-year-old defenseman, who signed a two-way, two-year entry-level contract with the Jackets back in June, is thus expected to start the season with Columbus' AHL affiliate the Lake Erie Monsters.
However, Kukan still has a valid contract with Luleå Hockey, so technically the Jackets could also decide to send him back to Sweden for the season. According to the NHL/SHL agreement, reports the Sonntags Zeitung, he even has to return to Sweden. In 61 games for the SHL team, he scored three goals and twelve assists last season. (mso)
Todd Richards said #CBJ has assigned Markus Hannikainen, Michael Chaput, Dean Kukan, Kerby Rychel, Andrew Bodnarchuk and Justin Falk.
— NHL Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 4, 2015
