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5 Free Agents the Columbus Blue Jackets Should Target In 2015 NHL Offseason

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5 Free Agents the Columbus Blue Jackets Should Target In 2015 Offseason

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The Columbus Blue Jackets came into the last season flying high. They made the playoffs the season before, which is not a small feat, and they felt like they had everything to continue their momentum. Unfortunately, injuries derailed their season early. They will make some moves this offseason to change their roster up, and they've already re-signed their main players up for free agency. Now, they just need to add a few pieces.

5. Blake Comeau

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5. Blake Comeau

Columbus Blue Jackets
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Blake Comeau is coming into the offseason with surprisingly little fanfare. He scored 16 goals last season, which would be a welcomed addition to any team nowadays. He was of course a part of the Blue Jackets just one year ago, but he found his scoring touch since then. He said he wanted to stay in Columbus last season. Maybe with the way the Jackets' season went, they will reassess their value of Comeau.

4. Chris Stewart

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4. Chris Stewart

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Valuing Chris Stewart is going to be hard this offseason. Is he worth a long-term extension? Would he make more if he settles for a one-year deal? He almost feels forgotten on the market, but he's definitely a player who would help the Jackets. He plays both ends of the ice, and plays them well. Columbus would find great ways to play him.

3. Jonas Gustavsson

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3. Jonas Gustavsson

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Jonas Gustavsson did not play himself out of a job like many backup goalies have before him. He just got hit by injuries last season. He may seem like a risk with how injured Sergei Bobrovsky was last season, but this guy can give you starter-caliber play in the No. 1's absence. That is a risk worth taking, especially for the price Gustavsson will come at.

2. Carl Soderberg

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2. Carl Soderberg

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Carl Soderberg may end up being the crown jewel of this offseason. A late bloomer, Soderberg finally found his offensive touch the past two seasons, which gave him a stable job in the NHL. The Blue Jackets could reward him for that, and get a great center for the future and the present in the process.

1. Cody Franson

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1. Cody Franson

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The Blue Jackets could really use a top-flight defenseman coming out of free agency. There are a few to choose from, but Cody Franson may be the best choice for this team. He is confirmed leaving the Predators, so that takes out one possible suitor. The Jackets can offer a situation where he can lead a young defensive corps. They also have the future locked up, which is something he saw in Nashville.

Nick Villano is the NHL feature writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.

Nick Villano is a writer for RantSports.
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