Four former Columbus Blue Jackets remain unsigned among the NHL’s top remaining UFAs

NHL free agency often moves in waves, and even after the July 1 calendar flip, plenty of unrestricted free agents are still searching for the right fit. One of the clearest clusters of that market is former Columbus Blue Jackets talent, with Yahoo Sports noting that Patrik Laine, Nick Blankenburg, James van Riemsdyk and Danton Heinen had not landed new deals as of early July 5.

For the Blue Jackets, the departures span different roster roles, from high-end skill to depth support. Laine is the most recognizable name among the group, and his path to this point reflects how quickly markets can become complicated by availability and usage. Yahoo Sports reported that Laine spent four seasons with Columbus, from 2020-21 through 2023-24, before being dealt to the Montreal Canadiens after a trade request. The same report added that, once in Montreal, Laine played through a difficult stretch and appeared in just five games last season.

Blankenburg’s free-agent status is tied more to timing than to a shutdown of production. Yahoo Sports described him as a former Blue Jackets defender who logged his first three NHL seasons in Columbus from 2021-22 to 2023-24, then moved through his next stops while continuing to show two-way value. According to the report, Blankenburg posted new career highs with eight goals, 16 assists and 24 points in 61 games last season, split between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche. That kind of scoring leap is the type that typically draws interest, even late in the offseason.

Van Riemsdyk represents the other common outcome in late July negotiations: the market for experienced, middle-six profiles can be active, but it can also become selective about term. Yahoo Sports reported that van Riemsdyk spent the 2024-25 season with Columbus, scoring 16 goals and 36 points in 71 games, and then followed with 15 goals and 31 points in 72 games for the Detroit Red Wings this past season. At 37, the report also framed him as a player teams could view as a one-year option, or potentially a tryout-type fit, depending on their immediate needs.

Heinen is the most “plug-in” style of the group, and Yahoo Sports’ description of his recent Columbus role suggests why that might also slow down the decision. After Columbus acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the Egor Chinakhov trade, the report said he finished his most recent season with the Blue Jackets, contributing five goals and five assists in 33 games for Columbus. For organizations looking to build flexible lines for training camp and the first weeks of the schedule, that profile can be attractive, but it still has to line up with cap room, ice-time plans, and the depth chart.

Taken together, the four players illustrate how an offseason can still leave teams negotiating between similar categories of need. A former franchise winger like Laine carries obvious upside, but his recent availability history can change the risk profile. Blankenburg and van Riemsdyk bring more direct statistical proof, while Heinen offers a steadier depth fit. All four are now in that late-offseason window where interest remains, but decisions can take longer as teams prioritize priorities elsewhere, such as internal resignings, trade targets, and the order in which they fill remaining lineup holes.

The next question for each player is the same: whether a contract arrives quickly or whether teams wait for more clarity from the rest of the market. For Columbus fans, the bigger takeaway is that the Blue Jackets’ former assets remain relevant across the league, even if they are not currently in the fold back home. The market’s momentum should also become clearer as more signings and training-camp agreements tighten the remaining choices.