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Here are the responses from Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson to the submitted questions. We received about 70 e-mails and selected what we thought were the five best questions. Thanks for all your interest and we'll try to get team president Mike Priest and coach Ken Hitchcock to agree to a similar format in the coming weeks.

Q: What has been your greatest challenge since taking over as GM here in Columbus?
A: "There have been many challenges but the greatest one is probably trying to get to know the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, both on and off the ice. This takes time and being around the people on a daily basis. I believe any strong organization starts with good people in the right places and now that I have spent a full year here, I feel that I have a better handle on our strengths and weaknesses."

Q: Are the Jackets done adding NHL-caliber players to the roster for the offseason? The team is still nearly $9 million under the cap and there are teams out there looking to shed payroll. Has your phone been ringing a lot? Are you more likely to save that money in case you need it at the trade deadline?
A: "We are likely done adding NHL caliber roster players until we get through training camp and get a better feel where some of our young players are with respect to being ready to contribute at the NHL level. If possible, I believe that a NHL team should not operate close to the cap. You need flexibility to deal with injuries and opportunities that may arise. It is very quiet right now as it usually is in August but we are ready for any opportunities that may come our way."
Q: What was the major obstacle preventing the CBJ from landing a No. 1 center during the free agent signing period? And, what is the front office going to do about the perceived lack of a true offensive defenseman?
A: "There are very few legitimate number one centers in the league and, obviously, even fewer that have been available. Ollie Jokinen did get traded and Mats Sundin is a free agent, but other that those two, there were no other opportunities to fill that need. We are pleased we were able to add R.J. Umberger. He has not been a number one center in the NHL and played mostly wing in Philadelphia recently but he feels center is his natural position. He wants the chance to play center and the plan is to play him with Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius. We believe Derick Brassard will be a top two line center but he has yet to prove that at the NHL level. Nikita Filatov has the skill and hockey sense to play as a top two line center in the future although he has played wing more than center in the elite tournaments. He has told me he prefers to play center. We feel that, with those two players, our long term future is bright but again, they still have to prove it in the NHL. With respect to a true offensive defenseman, we believe Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin move the puck well and eventually Kris Russell will help fill that void. We are hoping Kris takes a step this year and becomes a regular contributor on the power play."
Q: Hindsight is always 20-20. Given that fact, would Kris Russell have been better off in the AHL last season?
A: "I have no doubt that Kris Russell is better off today having the experience of playing in the NHL last year as opposed to playing in Syracuse. The NHL is a very tough league for young defensemen and we were all proud of the way Kris handled himself last year after earning his way onto the team. I told him at the end of the season he should be proud of playing a full year in the league as a 20-year-old and the struggles he went through were very typical for someone his age at that position."
Q: Since the lockout, the trend seems to be acquiring skilled players who skate well regardless of size. Detroit won the Stanley Cup with a similar formula. The Jackets appear to be getting better but emphasizing size and defensive abilities. Are you worried that your approach runs counter to what other teams are doing?
A: "This question is something I have thought about. I believe you have to stay true to your identity and not try and be something that you are not. The combination of size and skill helped produce a Stanley Cup for the Anaheim Ducks two seasons ago. Right now, under Hitch, we have developed an identity as a team that is tough to play against and that defends well, and has a franchise type player in Rick Nash. The key will be to retain that identity and add more skill as we move forward. We think the addition of Huselius helps in this area but our high end skill will come from our young players when they are ready to contribute on a consistent basis- Brassard, Jakub Voracek, Filatov and Russell."
BONUS QUESTION: How soon will playoff tickets go on sale and what will they cost?
A: "No comment."