Struggling Columbus Blue Jackets hire Craig Patrick as a senior advisor

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The struggling Blue Jackets have named Craig Patrick, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and a two-time Stanley Cup champion, their new senior advisor of hockey operations.

Patrick, 65, will be responsible for advising general manager Scott Howson on trades and free-agent signings. He will also evaluate Blue Jackets' prospects playing in the AHL and ECHL.

"He possesses a wealth of experience," Howson said. "His insight and knowledge will be invaluable to the Blue Jackets."

Patrick, as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1989-2006, helped lead the club to two Stanley Cup championships (1991 and 1992), five division titles and 11 playoff berths.

While there, he drafted Jaromir Jagr, Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

With eight wins and just 19 points, Columbus is the worst team in the NHL.