So what if the Columbus Blue Jackets are trying to move him?
James Wisniewski wants to stay.
According to Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch, the Blue Jackets’ top-scoring defenceman drafted his 10-team no-trade list with the goal of sniffling a move out of Ohio.
Despite leading the club’s blueliners with 28 points, the 31-year-old Wisniewski was a healthy scratch against the New York Rangers on Sunday. He returned to the lineup Tuesday, notching an assist and four shots on goal in the Jackets’ 4-2 loss to Buffalo.
Sportsnet’s Damien Cox notes that he has been linked to one of his former teams, the Montreal Canadiens, in rumours. The Los Angeles Kings (a frequent Columbus trade partner), Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings are also among the Stanley Cup hopefuls said to be looking to upgrade their defence.
Wisniewski, a native of Canton, Michigan, carries a $5.5 million cap hit for two more seasons.
A righthanded shot, Wisniewski ranks third in average ice time among Jackets defenders (21:22). Thirteen of his points have come on the power-play, where he logs heavy minutes.
In other Columbus trade deadline news, centre Mark Letestu — a pending UFA who does not have a modified no-trade clause — told Portzline he wants to re-sign with the team. As of Sunday, however, there had been no talks toward a new deal.