"Strengthening our center ice position has been a priority for our club and we are extremely excited to add a player of Max Domi's talent and character to the Columbus Blue Jackets," said Kekalainen. "He is a skilled playmaker that also brings grit and competitiveness, and we think he will be a great addition to our team."
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native was selected by the Coyotes in the first round, 12th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut in 2015-16, tallying 18-34-52 and 72 PIM in 81 games with the club. He spent the next two seasons in Arizona before joining the Canadiens via trade in June 2018. In his first season with the club, Domi led Montreal in assists and points with 28-44-72 to go along with 80 PIM and a +20 plus/minus rating in 82 games.
The 5-10, 192-pound pivot played four seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights from 2011-15, registering 126-205-331, 275 PIM and +94 in 244 career games. He helped the Knights win the OHL championship in 2011-12, earned OHL Third Team All-Star honors in 2013-14 and OHL First Team All-Star honors in 2014-15 when he racked up 32-70-102 and 66 PIM in 57 outings.
Domi has also enjoyed success in international play, winning gold medals at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships and 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup with Team Canada. At the 2015 WJC tournament, he earned All-Star honors and was named Best Forward after collecting 5-5-10, four PIM, +10 in seven games. He also represented Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Championships.
Anderson, 26, has posted 65-50-115 with 212 penalty minutes and a +27 plus/minus rating in 267 career games since making his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets during the 2014-15 season. Selected by Columbus in the fourth round, 95th overall, at the 2012 NHL Draft, he recorded 17 or more goals in all four of his full NHL campaigns and 30-plus points in three of the seasons. He collected 1-3-4 and 17 penalty minutes in 26 contests in 2019-20, missing 44 regular season and 10 playoff outings due to injury.
"Josh Anderson is a terrific hockey player and really good person and we want to thank him for his contributions to our club over the past several seasons and wish him nothing but the best in the future," said Kekalainen.
