"Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel was fired last week after an 11-25-5 start to the season. After several weeks on the steps of a guillotine, he must have felt some sense of relief when general manager Scott Howson finally did the deed.

But with Arniel's firing, the focus shifts to Howson and his future. If his status is not on the actual agenda, you can bet it will be a topic of discussion when the Blue Jackets' owners meet early this week.

If club President Mike Priest and the owners believe that a new coach and new goaltenders can fix this team next season —– that a few tweaks to the roster and fewer injuries would make a big difference — then maybe Howson keeps his job.

The fact that Howson was given full control over Arniel's firing last week — "I went to ownership, told them this is what I wanted to do, and they said 'OK'??" Howson said — could be an early sign that he's staying put. (He's also involved in trade talks with several teams, although nothing appears close.)

But if the ownership group believes a full rebuild is in order — that the culture must be changed, which usually requires a roster-gutting — then the chances of Howson being retained are much murkier.

There are 38 games left in the season, but a decision can't wait much longer.

If the Blue Jackets are rebuilding, they'll need to be one of the NHL's most-active teams at the Feb.?27 trade deadline — not just parceling off the unrestricted free agents who won't be back (Vinny Prospal, Sammy Pahlsson, etc.), but making aggressive moves to shed salaries and unproductive veterans in exchange for draft picks and prospects."