COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets, all but eliminated from the playoffs in the first month of the season, finished well and now face a summer of disruption and change.

Captain Rick Nash, the face of the franchise for a decade, has asked to be traded and likely will be. Several other well-known names probably won't be back next fall, replaced by a wave of younger, cheaper players.

Todd Richards picked up 38 points in his 41-game job interview for head coach. It remains to be seen if that'll be enough for management to knock the word interim off his job title.

After going 11-8-0 in their final 19 games, the players are actually optimistic about where the team is headed.