The biggest problem with the Jackets spending money, from what I see, is two fold:
1. There just aren't any top centers out there that will be available as UFA's. Daymond Langkow and Brendan Morrison are the only two I'd even consider going after, and they aren't true #1 centers. They'd play #1 center for the Jackets, only because they don't have one, but they are better suited to being on a #2 line. So until Derik Brassard is ready for that #1, they'd have to do with one of them.
2. Convincing a free agent to come here will also be a challenge. Outside of one of those centers, the Jackets should also pursue a #1 puck moving defenseman, such as Brian Campbell or Wade Redden. But can you convince one of those guys to come to Columbus? Perhaps, but that might be only because they'd offer them more money because the Jackets now have that money to spend.
I had called the Brad Richards trade almost a year before it happened. I knew he was gonna be moved and I named the Jackets as possible suitors. Maybe I'm close on this one as well, but I think the Jackets will make a play for either Patrick Marleau or Olli Jokinen as their new, #1 center. Poaching someone's RFA is also a possibility, like P.M. Bouchard of the Wild. I'd also like to see the Jackets make a move for a steady, stay at home guy like Jason Smith or Marek Malik. We'll see how close I come to these predictions...