It has now officially been one month since the start of NHL free agency. 

While this is the case, there are some notable UFAs still looking for their next contracts. Interestingly, a few of them just so happen to be former Columbus Blue Jackets players. 

Patrik Laine, James van Riemsdyk, and Nick Blankenburg are three former Blue Jackets who are still free agents at this juncture of the off-season.

Laine played in just five games last season with the Montreal Canadiens due to injury. With the injury trouble that Laine has dealt with over the last several seasons, it is very possible that he may need to settle for a professional tryout (PTO) agreement or one-year, prove-it deal.

Laine spent the 2020-21 through 2023-24 seasons with the Blue Jackets, where he recorded 64 goals, 74 assists, and 138 points in 174 games. 

Teams looking for more scoring and experience could take a flier on van Riemsdyk. He showed that last season with the Detroit Red Wings that he can still be a useful depth scorer in the NHL, posting 15 goals and 31 points in 72 games. This was after he had 16 goals and 36 points in 71 games with the Blue Jackets during the 2024-25 season.

As for Blankenburg, he remains a UFA after having a career year in 2025-26. In 61 games split between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche, he set new career highs with eight goals, 16 assists, and 24 points. Teams looking for a puck-moving defenseman could take a flier on him.

In three seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2021-22 to 2023-24, Blankenburg recorded six goals, 12 assists, and 18 points.