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Another guy the Jackets should look at is Jason Labarbera. He played relatively well behind Roberto Luongo in Vancouver, and he has shown spots of superb play during his tenure in Los Angeles. Not to mention, he would be much cheaper than the third possibility for the Jackets.
The third guy on the radar is Manny Fernandez. One of the top goal-tending free agents this summer, Fernandez is to the point where he will not be signed to be a starter on any NHL team.
He paired well with Vezina winner Tim Thomas this season in Boston, and he is a former two-time William Jennings Trophy winner. His ability to provide leadership for a young Mason would be a great benefit, but his price tag may keep the Jackets from pursuing him.
4. Sign a defenseman.
With the departure of Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and Christian Backman, the Jackets need to find a defenseman with big talent to play alongside Mike Commodore, Fedor Tyutin, Rostislav Klesla, Kris Russell, and Jan Hejda.
The big prize this summer was to be Jay Bouwmeester, but his recent trade to the Calgary Flames will give them the first crack at signing the top available defenseman. However, the Jackets would not have been able to pay the salary he is demanding, so it's not too big of a loss.
Kris Russell has been called the "offensive defenseman" the Jackets need, but his play has been sporadic, and unless he improves greatly this summer, they will need to sign a player with the ability to run the power-play, which the Jackets were ranked 30th in last season.
Former Jacket Jaroslav Spacek has the ability to score on the powerplay, as 22 of his 35 points came on the powerplay last season.
Marc-Andre Bergeron recorded seven goals on the power-play last season, which ranked 15th out of all defenseman, and third out of free agents this summer.
The market is rough this summer in terms of power-play defenseman, so the Jackets, if they feel this is a definite need this summer, will need to look at one of these two guys.
5. Develop the younger talent properly.
Under former general manager Doug McLean, the Jackets created problems for themselves by not letting their younger talent develop properly in Syracuse or junior hockey (see Rostislav Klesla). But Scott Howson has preached patience to the fans in Columbus, and it has produced results.
Rookie Derick Brassard was electrifying in his first look with the Jackets this year, before being shelved with a dislocated shoulder.
Nikita Filatov, the Jackets first round pick in 2008, flourished in Syracuse this past season, and even recorded a hat-trick with Columbus on Jan. 10. Howson then sent Filatov back down to Syracuse, where he could continue to properly develop.
John Moore was drafted to be the "offensive defenseman" the Jackets have needed for so long, but will spend this season either played in the OHL, or at Colorado College.
Keep an eye out for Stefan Legein as well, as he may see more time with the Jackets as he continues to grow.
6. Stay the course.
In order to remain a legitimate contender in the Western Conference, the Jackets need to continue progressing, and not make any decisions that would put the franchise back a year or two.
They cannot overspend on free agents this year. They cannot sign a big-name player solely for the sake of having a big name. And most of all, they cannot become disillusioned with last years' success.
The Jackets have drafted well the last four years, and it is starting to show in Syracuse, and in Columbus. Scott Howson has created a core group of players in RJ Umberger, Kristian Huselius, Mike Commodore, Fedor Tyutin, Nash, and Mason, for which to build upon for the next few years.
While the first five points above are vital to the success of the Blue Jackets this year, the sixth point is necessary, or else the first five become null and void. Ken Hitchcock has turned the Jackets into a tough, hard-hitting, fore-checking team that plays the dump-and-chase.
Why is this important? Because now, the Jackets have an identity, and they need to continue to nurture that identity to fruition.
The most important thing for the Jackets to remember moving into 2009-10 is that they cannot be satisfied with "making the playoffs." That goal has been accomplished. The Jackets need to set a higher goal, such as "winning a playoff series," in order to continue the progress built by the organization the last three years.
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