Adam Foote had his No. 52 retired by the Colorado Avalanche, but on Aug. 2, 2005, he left the franchise for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brian T. Dessart recalls how that turned out. Patrik Laine [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAyOTA1NTg1MTg2Nzc2MTMy/usatsi_21996447_168400847_lowres.jpg] Patrik Laine The Columbus Blue Jackets' struggles this season have already generated some media trade chatter. In October [https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-columbus-blue-jackets-are-trying-to-move-a-defenseman], they were reportedly peddling one of their defensemen. Late last month [https://thehockeynews.com/news/edmonton-oilers-scouting-the-columbus-blue-jackets-goalies], there was speculation the Edmonton Oilers were scouting their goaltenders. So far, the Blue Jackets' only move was shipping checking-line forward Eric Robinson to the Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/news/eric-robinson-traded-to-the-buffalo-sabres] on Dec. 6 for a 2025 seventh-round pick. As the Jackets continue to flounder, however, trade conjecture is shifting toward Patrik Laine. The 25-year-old winger has managed just five goals and eight points in 17 games. He missed nine games earlier [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/injury-report/patrik-laine-getting-close-to-returning] this season with a concussion and three more to an illness. Laine was also a healthy scratch on Nov. 19, calling it “the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me.” [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/blue-jackets-laine-says-healthy-scratch-was-embarrassing/] However, it hasn't produced an improvement in his performance. On Dec. 8, The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek [https://theathletic.com/5103990/2023/12/08/nhl-olympics-kane-ducks-blue-jackets/] took note of Laine's somewhat indifferent play this season. He acknowledged the winger's concussion but pointed out he wasn't playing well before he got hurt. Suggesting the big Finn is lacking confidence in his game, Duhatschek wondered if a trade to the Washington Capitals as Alex Ovechkin's potential successor could help him regain his scoring ways. Four days later, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch [https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/blue-jackets-struggles-could-lead-to-front-office-changes] noted the recent talk about trading Laine but doubted it would happen. He noted the winger hasn't asked to be moved and also observed that his contract would be a serious sticking point. Laine is signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade clause, according to PuckPedia [https://puckpedia.com/player/patrik-laine]. Unless the Blue Jackets are willing to retain part of that cap hit, Garrioch doesn't see him going anywhere.
