Editor’s Note: The following article is in collaboration with Sean Merz

The time of year where teams start to make moves to turn themselves into contenders, fill needs, and send players packing is fast approaching. This is a period of time that the Columbus Blue Jackets need to tread in lightly, and make the right decisions to move forward as an organization. This is surely one of the most pivotal periods of time in the tenure of John Tortorella, and if he sticks to what his philosophy has been, this could be one of the best off-seasons in franchise history.

Columbus Blue Jackets Off-Season: Free Agency

Although free agency is highly unlikely to yield any star players making their way to the Buckeye State, anyone associated with the organization knows it’s going to play a pivotal role in any success for 2016-17, and further into the future as well. This is a period of time where the Blue Jackets can get rid of some players that are either not contributing enough, or might be getting paid a bit too much for too little production. Let’s take a look at some of the names that could be leaving, and some that might be calling Nationwide Arena their home next season. Also, while their are a decent amount of players in the Blue Jackets system, this article will be focusing on those who play most of their hockey in Columbus.

Restricted Free Agents

The category of restricted free agents could be the most vital group of players in the entire organization, and luckily they have this tag to them. Every player should be treated with the utmost importance and, for the best of the Blue Jackets, hopefully they plan to come back.

William Karlsson

The first name that comes up in this category is the man that the fans in Columbus affectionately refer to as “Wild Bill”, or as most know him, William Karlsson. Karlsson isn’t, by any stretch of the imagination, a superstar for the organization, but is a pivotal bottom six forward and it is extremely important that Columbus brings him back into the fold for 2016-17, as the bottom six is the arguably the weakest area of the organization. Karlsson is currently finishing up his three-year entry level contract that he originally signed with the Anaheim Ducks, which carries a yearly cap hit of roughly $831,000. While it is an obvious fact that he will be getting a bit more than the $925,000 he got last year, it shouldn’t be a significant amount more. For a player that contributes a good deal to the third and fourth lines, he should most definitely be brought back.

Nic Hendrickson: Bring Karlsson back, easy decision with his project price-tag and production for the bottom six.

Sean Merz: The Blue Jackets need to keep Karlsson, his hustle is key to the success that Columbus had with the bottom six at periods during last season. The only way he shouldn’t be back is if a team comes calling, and he is able to be packaged with maybe Scott Hartnell and a draft pick, otherwise he needs to stay.

Seth Jones

Jones came in and made an instant impact on the Blue Jackets blue line, and is arguably one of the most important players in the organization. Despite having to give up fan-favorite Ryan Johansen to get ahold of Jones, it’s easy to say now that it was a very smart trade for all parties involved. Jones came in halfway through the season and was able to instill a sense of composure, along with the fact that himself and Ryan Murray seem to be a match made in hockey heaven. Composure isn’t a word that’s generally associated with the Blue Jackets, but Jones might just be the man to change that. With Jones’ entry level contract, that he originally signed with the Nashville Predators, set to expire this off-season, he’s very likely going to be getting a solid pay raise. Regardless of what the agreed number turns out to be, this is easily one of the most important moments in this off-season, and if the Jackets don’t bring him back it could hurt the organization for a very, very long time. Expect Jones to command a very respectable salary, maybe somewhere in the region of $2.8 million, which will mirror his defensive partner Ryan Murray.

Nic Hendrickson: The Blue Jackets need to fork over some cash to ensure Jones is back next season, whatever the cost. It’s unlikely that he will look to go elsewhere at this point, as he seems content in Columbus, but needs to be given the money he deserves. Give him a similar contract to that of Ryan Murray and call it a day.

Sean Merz: Jones is a must-keep player, at any cost. He’s a true first pairing defenseman and he allows Ryan Murray to reach his potential as well.

SETH JONES! HIS FIRST GOAL AS A BLUE JACKET! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/6SPKY0EdYK — ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 27, 2016

Unrestricted Free Agent

Rene Bourque

Bourque is in a situation in Columbus that isn’t likely to keep his pockets as fat as they have been in years past, which may just see him end up playing hockey somewhere else in the near future. At 34 years old, Bourque is one of the older players in the Columbus team-sheet, and his production isn’t exactly making up for it either. Last season he only played in 49 games for the Jackets and put up a measly eight points in the process. Bourque is well-known to be a good teammate and well-liked in Columbus, but he’s going to need to take a significant pay cut to stay there. Bourque just finished up his last season of a six-year, $20 million contract that was given to him by the Calgary Flames before the 2010-11 season, a contract which saw him carry a $3.3 million cap hit last season, not something you want from a guy getting single-digit points on the season.

Nic Hendrickson: Bourque is going to have to take a significant pay cut down to something similar to that of Gregory Campbell ($1.5 million/year) or a Jared Boll ($1.7 million/year), or he needs to go. The bottom six forwards need to produce more than they have or take a major pay cut, Bourque is no exception to this.

Sean Merz: Bourque should go. His effort is admirable, and a good model for the young players to look at. However, Columbus has plenty of younger guys who can do just as much, if not more, for cheaper than Bourque is going to cost.

Possible Free Agent Targets

The Blue Jackets are in a very odd situation when it comes to free agency this year, where there isn’t quite enough money to sign a blockbuster player like Steven Stamkos, but there are some very serviceable options out there that are within their price range. The Blue Jackets, barring any unforeseen circumstances, are set to have around $3.5 million in cap space going into the summer, but the question remains, should they try to free up more space to get a big name? Or should the Jackets use the money to shore up their bottom six and provide more depth for a possible playoff push next season?

Alex Goligoski

Goligoski, 30, is an aging defenseman that could very well be up for grabs come free agency and with Columbus needing some more composed heads on the blue line, Goligoski would be a fine fit. If Columbus were to pursue this option, they would get a defenseman who was able to produce five goals and 37 points, numbers that are among the best in comparison to the Blue Jackets. He would likely not be able to get a contract similar to his current one of $4.6 million, but it’ll remain to be seen if his asking price drops low enough for the Jackets to bring him on board.

Dallas #Stars defense will probably look much different next year. Goligoski, Demers, Russell, Jordie Benn are all UFA's in July. — Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) May 12, 2016

Loui Eriksson

Eriksson would come to Columbus and fill the need to have a true right wing that can bring some goals to Nationwide on a consistent basis, something that was seriously lacking in 2015-16. His cap hit last year for Boston was $4.25, with a $4.5 million salary, but would very likely be asking for a much lower price. Much like the case of Goligoski, due to Eriksson getting older, he would become a cheap (relatively cheap) signing that could produce good enough numbers to go back and forth between the first and second lines. Even if Eriksson isn’t able to produce another season of 30-plus goals and assists, he would be a fantastic option to add to the forward lines.

Steve Bernier

Bernier might come as a “out of left field” kind of name to throw out here, but he is a great choice to fill the spot left by Rene Bourque if he isn’t brought back on the cheap. Bernier only had six total points last season for the Islanders, but they came in only 24 games. Despite those numbers not being anything worth writing home about, he only had two less points than Bourque had, and in half the games played. The other major upside to Bernier as an option to fill in on the fourth line is that he could be signed for next to nothing, freeing up a decent amount of cap space in comparison to signing Bourque back, leaving Columbus with the ability to bring in one of the aforementioned names, or someone else.

There are a plethora of names floating around out there that the Blue Jackets could bring in to fill this need, but one of the more likely situations is a rotation of the players already under contract. A rotation of Jared Boll, the lovable tough guy, and David Clarkson, who the fan base hopes and prays can stay healthy for a full season, will likely be able to contribute just as much as Bourque, if not more. The likely outcome will most likely be the cheapest for the Jackets, and one can only hope that a little offensive spice is added before the first puck drops on the 2016-17 season.

Stay tuned to www.lastwordonsports.com and @LWOS_CBJ for everything related to the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Fifth Line!

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