COLUMBUS, Ohio — The end-of-season nerves are still raw among Columbus Blue Jackets fans. That late-season collapse was so epically awful that even longtime fans who thought they’d seen it all were disheartened at a whole new level.And yet, as we start to move toward the busy stretch of the offseason — hey, Carolina and Vegas, can we move this along quickly? — the flicker of life is returning, as seen by the copious questions and comments submitted for this mailbag.The Blue Jackets have already had a big start to the summer. General manager Don Waddell’s top two early-offseason priorities were achieved by bringing back coach Rick Bowness for at least another year, and getting veteran center Charlie Coyle signed to a long-term extension.But there will likely be other big moves coming, and you asked about all of them. So, thanks!We’ve separated this into two mailbags.Today’s collection deals mostly (but not entirely) with issues that are directly in front of the Blue Jackets this summer, such as their pending unrestricted free agents and restricted free agents, their desire to add a top-six difference maker, etc,Part II will include questions about Zach Werenski’s patience and future, the McConnell family’s impact on the organization, the franchise’s ability to spend to the salary cap, the future GM, etc. Enjoy!With a weak free agent class and cap room abundant across the NHL this summer, how do the Blue Jackets improve? — Jim R.1. Trades. 2. Internal growth. And, honestly, it will take both of those if the Blue Jackets are going to get where they want to go. Bowness has certainly planted the seeds for self-improvement and higher standards this summer, and leading into training camp. (Been thinking: That rant stands with John Tortorella’s 2019 pre-playoffs “You stand in there!” speech as the best in Blue Jackets’ history.) But nothing can goose this roster like a big move or two. No pressure, Mr. Waddell.What, if any, roster moves seem realistic this offseason? It feels like a “grow-from-within, let the kids mature, and add affordable veteran depth” kind of summer. — Derek L.I wouldn’t expect much out of free agency, but we’ll see, because that has, at times, been a surprise in Columbus. The more likely avenue for what I would call a disruptive move — significant player out, significant player in — is a trade. I have a sister-in-law who is a volcanologist, and she’s helped me sense when the ground is rumbling with activity. It sure feels that way, with lots of cap room (re: flexibility) for actual hockey trades, not just swaps of broken pieces. It may come to pass that the best they can do is add veteran depth, and they need to rely on their young players continuing to develop no matter who they add. But I think Waddell is willing to be aggressive, including the No. 14 draft pick. That alone isn’t likely to land a top-six, impact player, but it’s a start. Here’s a good list to peruse from my colleague, the great Chris Johnston. There are some very interesting names here, and the Blue Jackets would be looking for a winger. They wouldn’t have to pay full freight for a center.After Coyle signed his six year, $36 million contract, he mentioned Waddell “getting guys in here to help.” Maybe I’m too optimistic, but did that seem like Don has something up his sleeve? — Kenny C.It sure sounds like Coyle had assurances that Waddell is going to everything he can this summer to move this Blue Jackets roster forward, but that’s nothing he hasn’t said publicly, too. I don’t get the sense that he’s been sitting on something, but you know he’s had conversations and he probably has a good idea of what’s out there. I think it’s going to be a wild summer. He’s always in the middle of the conversations. Does he end up in the middle of the deals? Should be fun!I know the focus has been on the unrestricted free agents. But what about the RFAs, Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger? — Ryan C.Those don’t quite have the urgency of the UFAs, of course. The Blue Jackets’ right-to-match makes July 1 less of a deadline. But why push it? Waddell has said he’ll speak to the RFAs’ agents at the NHL scouting combine, which is this weekend in Buffalo. Add Jet Greaves to the list of prominent Columbus RFAs.The Blue Jackets front office seems hesitant to be as ruthless as Florida, Vegas and Colorado. Is there any word of the front office being more willing to go big-game hunting for players such as Jason Robertson (Dallas) and Pavel Dorofeyev (Vegas)? — Kyle S.Florida and Vegas have operated differently, sure — I wouldn’t put Colorado in that group — but it’s not just them wanting it more than others. There are built-in advantages in both spots — taxes, weather, lifestyle, etc. Combine that with the fact that they’ve won, and it’s a magnet for players. The Blue Jackets can decide they want (to use your examples) Robertson and Dorofeyev this off-season, but good luck with that. They’re both RFAs. The Blue Jackets could trade a pile of picks and prospects for them, sure, but I’d be shocked if either team cut loose their 30-plus goal-scorers. Seems reckless. An offer sheet isn’t just a “go get ‘em” act by they club; it’s something that is negotiated with the RFA player and agreed upon. It takes two to tango. The Blue Jackets signed Johnny Gaudreau via free agency. They traded for Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, etc. They went after Noah Dobson last summer, if you recall. They’ve gone big-game hunting.Why not bring pending unrestricted free agent Boone Jenner back as a bottom-line center? Is that not of interest to the team, the player, or both? — Matt T.Jenner is going to want term, and he deserves that opportunity as a veteran player in the league. I don’t think he fancies himself a fourth-line center, and I respect that. The other thing to consider, and this is, at this point, conjecture: If the Blue Jackets are thinking of changing captains, he may feel as if it’s time to move along. It doesn’t have to mean the end in Columbus, but you could understand if it came to that. There are a lot of moving parts with this one. Just hope it doesn’t end painfully or awkwardly. Jenner just feels like he’s always been a part of this franchise, and he’s certainly left a lot of sweat and blood on that ice for the Blue Jackets.