COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets took care of one of their biggest off-season priorities by signing defenceman Seth Jones to a $32.4 million, six-year contract.

Jones, a pending restricted free agent, will count $5.4 million against the salary cap through the 2020-21 NHL season.

Agent Pat Brisson confirmed the terms of the contract, which includes a modified no-trade clause in years five and six.

Jones was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft to the Nashville Predators. The Blue Jackets acquired him in a January trade that sent centre Ryan Johansen to Nashville.

"Acquiring Seth Jones was very important to our organization and reaching a long-term agreement with him to remain a Blue Jacket was a priority," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "At 21, Seth is just beginning to tap into his potential as a player. He has everything you look for in a defenceman and is going to be a very important player and leader on our team for many years."

In three NHL seasons, Jones has 17 goals and 66 assists for 83 points. Last season he led Columbus defencemen with 31 points despite playing just 41 games with the team after the trade.

A right-handed shooting defenceman, Jones was a luxury for the Predators, who have captain Shea Weber along with Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis on the blue line. For the Blue Jackets it was worth parting with Johansen to get Jones, who has the potential to be an elite No. 1 defenceman as he develops.

Jones averaged 22:04 of ice time last season and set career highs in assists, points and shots on goal.

After using up significant cap space to sign Jones, the Blue Jackets bought out the final two years of defenceman Fedor Tyutin's contract. He was set to count $4.5 million against the cap, and this move saves almost $3.3 million.

"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," Kekalainen said.

Moving forward also means the upcoming Las Vegas expansion draft. Tyutin was one of six Blue Jackets players with a no-movement clause and thus would have had to be protected, leaving Columbus forced to expose some of its stars.