Page "Columbus Blue Jackets" Paragraph 23

The 2007 – 08 season, the club's first full season under Hitchcock, started off well as the Jackets got off to their best start in franchise history, starting with a 4 – 0 shutout of the defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks.

At the trade deadline on February 26, 2008, however, apparently unable to agree on a new contract and amid some controversy, Blue Jackets captain Adam Foote requested a trade to the Colorado Avalanche, which was granted.

The Blue Jackets received a pair of conditional picks in return.

A few weeks later, on March 12, 2008, former Blue Jackets number-one draft pick Rick Nash was named the new team captain.

Despite this, Columbus managed its best season record to date, staying above a. 500 game wins average until the very last game of the season and finishing fourth in the Central Division with 80 points.

After the season, Nash was announced as the cover player for the NHL 2K9 video game by Take-Two Interactive.