Florida Panthers

Bjugstad left the Gophers after his junior season, signing a three-year entry-level deal with the Florida Panthers on April 3, 2013.^[3] He immediately joined the last-placed Panthers to end the 2012–13 season, and scored his first NHL goal against Anders Lindbäck in Florida's season finale victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 27, 2013.^[4] Bjugstad led the Panthers in points with 38, and third in goals with 16, during 2013–14, his first full-length season in the NHL, where he spent the majority of the season on the team's first line. On December 31, 2014, Bjugstad signed a six-year contract extension with the Panthers worth $24.6 million.^[5]

Bjugstad's 2016–17 season was riddled with injuries including a broken hand,^[6] and a lower body injury^[7] that contributed to him setting a new career low in points since his rookie year.

Bjugstad rebounded from his disappointing previous season by setting career highs in points, assists, and games played during his 2017–18 campaign.^[8] Bjugstad recorded his first career hat trick in the NHL on March 6, 2018 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.^[9]

Pittsburgh Penguins

On February 1, 2019, Bjugstad and teammate Jared McCann were traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan, a 2nd round pick, and two 4th round picks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.^[10] Upon joining the team, Bjugstad immediately settled into the third-line center role.^[11] He remained in this role as the Penguins qualified for the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.^[12] In Game 1, Bjugstad led the team with eight hits although they fell 4–3 in overtime to the New York Islanders.^[13] Bjugstad had limited impact for the Penguins in the playoffs as he tallied no points and two penalty minutes over four games.^[14]

Bjugstad returned to the Penguins for the 2019–20 season but was limited to only 13 games. After suffering a core-muscle injury in October, he was expected to miss at least eight weeks to recover from surgery.^[15] He was out of the lineup from the end of November to early March before returning on March 5.^[16] In his return, Bjugstad recorded an assist on Hornqvist's first goal of the game to lift the Penguins 4–2 over the Buffalo Sabres.^[17] He played in three games for the Penguins before suffering an unrelated lower-body injury on March 8. When the NHL returned for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, Bjugstad was ruled out for the remainder of the season.^[18]

Minnesota Wild

On September 11, 2020, Bjugstad was traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.^[19] In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Bjugstad recorded six goals and 17 points in 44 games.

As a pending unrestricted free agent, Bjugstad opted to remain with the Wild in signing a one-year, $900,000 contract extension on July 5, 2021.^[20]

Arizona Coyotes

On July 13, 2022, Bjugstad signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Arizona Coyotes.^[21]

Edmonton Oilers

On March 2, 2023, the Coyotes traded Bjugstad along with Cam Dineen to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a third-round pick in 2023, and prospect Michael Kesselring with Arizona retaining half of Bjugstad's salary.^[22][23] Bjugstad made an immediate impact to the Oilers bottom six forward group, contributing with 4 goals and 6 points through 19 regular season games. He collected a career best three postseason goals through 12 playoff games, before the Oilers were defeated in the second round to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights.

Return to Arizona

As a free agent from the Oilers, Bjugstad opted to return to former club, the Arizona Coyotes, in agreeing to a two-year, $4.2 million contract on July 1, 2023.^[24]