Rick Nash, Center Position Tops Columbus Blue Jackets' Offseason To-Do List

(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Departures: C Manny Malhotra, D Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, C Jiri Novotny

Restricted Free Agents: D Marc Methot, LW Alexandre Picard, G Dan LaCosta

Unrestricted Free Agents: C Michael Peca, C Jason Wiliams, D Christian Backman, D Aaron Rome, G Wade Dubielewicz

For the first time in their stormy existence, the Columbus Blue Jackets do not have to make huge waves in preparation for the 2009-10 season. 

Since going 41-31-0-10 last season and making the postseason for the first time, the Jackets need only to make a few minor tweaks to the current roster, add a few free agents, and re-sign key contributors to remain competitive in the Western Conference. 

Sitting at the top of the list is star player and captain Rick Nash.

1.  Re-sign Rick Nash.

For the Blue Jackets to capitalize in the coming years on their growing success, they need to re-sign Rick Nash this summer. 

Although Nash still has one year remaining on his current contract, it is imperative that contract negotiations reach a conclusion this summer, or the Jackets run the risk of losing Nash to the free agent market next summer.

Nash is due to make $7 million this year, and re-signing him to a long-term deal would, in theory, open up a little cap space for 2010 and 2011, assuming his deal increases in value each year. 

Not only will it allow the Jackets to lock up their captain for four or five years, it will allow them to target key free agents in the summer of 2010, when guys like Patrick Marleau, Olli Jokinen, Marc Savard, and Sergei Gonchar hit the market.  Keeping Nash on board will make Columbus more attractive to the aforementioned players.  

Howson must re-sign Nash this summer, or he will have to deal with a media frenzy throughout the season, led by the one city clamoring for Rick Nash to save their franchise—Toronto. 

2.  Sign two checking line centers.

Entering the summer, the Jackets had hoped to secure upcoming free agent Manny Malhotra to a new deal, but as July 1 quickly approaches, a deal will not be struck according to both sides. 

There may be a chance that Malhotra will re-sign with the club as free agency progresses, but it is unlikely that Columbus will give Malhotra the first or second line money he wants. 

Unrestricted free agent Jason Williams proved that he wanted to play in Columbus following his trade from Atlanta in January, and he deserves an offer from Howson this summer. Williams would be a key anchor to either the third or fourth line. While his 29 points with the Jackets may seem minimal, his physical play makes him the ideal player in Ken Hitchcock's system. 

Unrestricted free agent Michael Peca made things interesting with his improved play in the Jackets' first round series with Detroit.  Despite his less-than-stellar regular-season stats (four goals, 18 assists, -6 plus/minus), he showed management that he was more than capable of stepping up his game in the playoffs.

Peca's playoff effort may have garnered him enough praise to receive an offer from Columbus this offseason, but the verdict is still out on whether or not Peca will remain a Blue Jacket in 2009.

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