(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

After the Blue Jackets made their first playoff appearance, more will be expected in the coming season. It was best for them to see an early exit from their 2009 playoff run. This keeps the team and fans at an reasonable expectation level for the future. Even so, they will not only be expected to make the playoffs again, but now must make a push for a second round appearance in 2009-2010.

How can they do that? What deals do they need to make?  

UFAs: Manny Malhotra, Jason Williams, Michael Peca, Chris Gratton, Christian Backman, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen
RFAs: Jiri Novotny, Marc Methot, Wade Dubielewicz

Anyone they don't sign needs a replacement, but beyond Malhotra and Williams, there isn't much that can't be easily replaced. Gratton might be worth keeping as a support player.

Rick Nash is entering into a contract year and even more will be expected of him to snag that high-profile contract. As well, if the Blue Jackets organization let negotiations slide for too long, it could seriously hamper Nash and the rest of the team. They should make their intentions toward "the face of the franchise" clear very quickly, whether it's to sign or trade him.

After winning the Calder trophy as rookie of the year, Columbus will have its fingers crossed that goalie Steve Mason doesn't get the sophomore jinx. He will have a lot of pressure this season and a solid backup goalie as well as veteran goalie. Great coaching is also a must for this team to succeed.

The new NHL has taught us that a team can be a contender and even win the Stanley Cup without a superstar goalie, so other aspects of the team need some serious discussion.

Rostislav Klesla, who is now 27 years old, has not fulfilled the expectations as a fourth overall draft pick in 2000. The question is really whether or not they can receive some substance in a trade.  

What prospects can make the jump? Columbus has affiliations with the Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) and the Syracuse Crunch (AHL). Russian Nikita Filatov (drafted sixth overall 2008) is learning how to play a physical game as he fills out his six foot frame and has a high flying top gear when he wants it. He could be developed into the play making forward the team needs.  

The Blue Jackets' 2009 First Round Draft pick John Moore scored 14 goals and added 25 assists for 39 points and 50 penalty minutes in 57 games with Chicago of the United States Hockey League during the 2008-09 season. He was named the USHL Defenseman of the Year and ranked fourth among league defensemen in scoring. It is arguable whether he is ready to make the leap into the NHL yet, but some have called him the steal of this year's draft.

Moore has previously said that he's committed to attending college and playing NCAA hockey at Colorado College, but upon being drafted he pulled back a bit and mentioned he would discuss it with the organization first. The development camp should decide his fate.

The Free Agency market? Columbus has cap room to spare, so they have an opportunity to be aggressive in the free agent market this season.  

R.J. Umberger gives them a solid supporting role player, while Mike Commodore is a steady defensemen. Still, Nash needs help up front. I don't think they can afford to take chances with an expensive player like Marian Gaborik or a trade for Dany Heatley, but giving UFA Saku Koivu from the Montreal Canadiens a home would set the offense up well. He's just the player Nash needs around him.  

They could also steal some UFA players like Steve Sullivan, Radek Bonk, Steve Begin, Vernon Fiddler, Stephane Yelle, Todd Bertuzzi, Chris Neil, Tom Kostopolous, Jason Ward, Wade Brookbank, Rhett Warrener, Francis Bouillon, or Curtis Joseph—all of whom are affordable and would fit in well on this team.

Of the players already returning, Kristian Huselius is streaky and unreliable, but still a 20-goal scoring second line player for them; Derick Brassard was being called a rookie of the year candidate before his season-ending injury; Raffi Torres seems essential but has also suffered from injury problems recently; Fredrik Modin is another player who misses a lot of games, but on a team with few premiere forwards, he fits in; Antoine Vermette looks like a solid piece to the puzzle in improving the team; Jakub Voracek may very well develop into the play maker they need over time; Jared Boll is their pugilist, and whether or not they keep him, someone should fill that role.  

We've already mentioned Nash and Commodore, but Commodore has proven that even after signing a long-term contract, he can perform as expected. He isn't the fastest player, but his positioning and hockey sense seem to put him where he needs to be. Steve Mason generally takes care of the rest.

Columbus has a solid foundation in their on-ice staff. Head Coach Ken Hitchcock will take the team into the future along with his Development Coach Tyler Wright. The rest of the staff, while solid, are not spectacular.

There is a lot of hope in Columbus, but they need to work hard to see any fruition to their potential.

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