The Columbus Blue Jackets currently sit in 10th in the Eastern Conference in points percentage, holding a 17-18-1 record. As the 2022 trade deadline slowly continues to approach, though, the organization will have decisions to make regarding their direction.

While the Blue Jackets aren't all that far outside the playoff picture based on their placement in the standings, they're realistically quite a ways behind other teams in the Eastern Conference. The top eight teams in the East will be hard to catch, while the likes of the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings will be pressing as well. With this in mind, Columbus has to capitalize on a return for pieces of its roster.

It's no secret the Blue Jackets have a difficult time keeping around big-name players. Three years ago, two franchise cornerstones in Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin both departed in free agency, while Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel – players brought in at the trade deadline in an attempt to make a playoff run – left as well. Then more recently, we saw Pierre-Luc Dubois request a trade just three seasons into his NHL career, while Seth Jones wasn't looking to re-sign with the Blue Jackets either.

As a result, it means the team has limited ways to build a contender, with the most sustainable way being through the draft. As of now, the Blue Jackets aren't in a spot to contend and adding pieces who may not stick around obviously doesn't make a ton of sense.

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The Blue Jackets do have a lot of good, young pieces to build around, though. Patrik Laine will be in need of a new contract this offseason, but if Columbus is able to keep him around, he'd be a key component at the top of the team's forward group moving forward. Meanwhile, Jack Roslovic and Alexandre Texier are both under 25 years old, and first-round picks like Yegor Chinakhov and Cole Sillinger are already up with the team as well. Other prospects like 2021 fifth-overall pick Kent Johnson, as well as Liam Foudy, will also play a key role in the team's future.

On the blue line, Adam Boqvist has an opportunity to take on a larger role, while Jake Bean has taken a big step and Andrew Peeke has proven to be a steady full-time blue liner. Vladislav Gavrikov remains an important part of the defense group as well, while 2021 25th overall pick Corson Ceulemans projects to have a high ceiling. Then in net, the Blue Jackets can continue to watch for Daniil Tarasov to push for a full-time spot with the team.

These names are all just to go along with other players under long-tern contracts as well. Top defenseman Zach Werenski is signed until 2028, while Elvis Merzlikins, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Boone Jenner and Sean Kuraly are all under contract for many more years.

The point is the Blue Jackets have a lot of good pieces to build around. Give the team a couple of years and there's a good chance the likes of Chinakhov, Sillinger, Texier and even Johnson are key fixtures of their top-six group. The biggest thing the Blue Jackets need is time – but based on the foundation they've set, it's likely less than many would expect.

However, looking at the standings right now, expectations for this season have to be kept realistic. The time for the Blue Jackets to start really competing is likely a few years down the road, meaning they have to take the time to continue to build before then. Then the question becomes who should be available, with the answer being pretty much any remaining player not mentioned above.

A notable piece to be moved would be Max Domi. The 26-year-old forward came to the Blue Jackets from the Montreal Canadiens in a trade for Josh Anderson back in October 2020. Coming off a disappointing season, Domi's production has bounced back to an extent this year, with eight goals and 17 points in 26 games. However, with Domi becoming a free agent this summer, he seems to be a likely option to be moved to a contender for draft picks.

The next obvious name would be Joonas Korpisalo. Another pending free agent, Korpisalo is having a poor year, posting a brutal .882 save percentage in 14 games this season. With Elvis Merzlikins locked up and Daniil Tarasov not far off from being an NHL regular, Korpisalo will become the odd-man out. While his trade value has almost surely taken a hit, we can expect the Blue Jackets will attempt to get something back for him at the deadline.

You also have to think Columbus would be willing to move Gustav Nyquist or Jakub Voracek. Nyquist's deal runs until next summer with a $5 million cap hit, while Voracek is under contract until 2024 at an $8.25 million cap hit. Of the two, Nyquist would certainly be easier to move given his contract status, though Voracek can still add a lot of offense, if Columbus was potentially willing to retain salary.

While the Blue Jackets aren't too far off from competing, this isn't their time. As of now, the organization will still be best served selling off pieces as they build for the future.