The Columbus Blue Jackets could face some big changes. Once they find their new GM, decisions must be made about their coach, goaltender, top forward, and more.

It's been another disappointing season for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mired at the bottom of the NHL's Eastern Conference standings, they're poised to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

The Blue Jackets signalled changes were coming when they fired GM Jarmo Kekalainen in February. Finding a suitable replacement is the priority for president of hockey operations John Davidson, who is also acting as interim GM.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported last Thursday the Jackets' original GM candidate list contained 30 to 40 names. He also said they're looking for people with NHL front-office experience. 

Whoever gets the job could also reconsider Johnny Gaudreau's future in Columbus. The 30-year-old left winger's production has steadily declined since joining the Jackets two years ago, fresh off a career-high 115-point performance with the Calgary Flames.

Back in January, The Hockey News' Jason Newland weighed the pros and cons of moving Gaudreau. While it could look bad to the players and fans if they move him so soon, it could also better align the team with a rebuild.

The Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont suggested Gaudreau might be moved to a team of his choosing, with the Jackets retaining one-third of his $9.75-million cap hit. With five years left on his contract, the Jackets must retain up to half to find serious suitors.

The new GM will also decide if Pascal Vincent remains as coach. He took over as bench boss following Mike Babcock's resignation last September. A new GM could prefer someone else in that role. Newland mentioned fans and media are wondering why the young kids aren't getting more ice time during these final games of the season.

A roster shakeup could also be in the cards. The Athletic's Aaron Portzline believes those changes could start with goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who made headlines in January by requesting a trade only to have his agent say his client misspoke. 

Newland noted Vincent saying the plan for the rest of this season is to see Daniil Tarasov get as many games as possible but not at the cost of not playing Merzlikins.

"Elvis is still a strong member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and looking ahead at the future, we still want to develop Elvis," Vincent told 97.1 The Fan on March 13. "He's a strong goaltender. We know he's talented, and so is Daniil."

Newland speculates a new Blue Jackets GM will try to find a new NHL club for Merzlikins. The 29-year-old netminder has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.4 million plus a 10-team no-trade clause, according to PuckPedia. Trading him could involve retaining up to half of his annual cap hit, along with the inclusion of a draft pick or prospect.