Not long ago, identifying the Blue Jackets' most glaring deficiency was a multiple-choice question that puzzled not only casual fans, but also the organization's brain trust.

Since general manager Scott Howson arrived two years ago, however, he has built the Jackets' lineup to an unprecedented level of competence.

The Jackets have installed young talent, credible offensive centers, reliable stay-at-home defensemen and a star player who is committed long term to the franchise.

The team's biggest need -- an established offensive defenseman -- is now obvious to almost everyone. If only finding a solution were so easy.

"It's probably the hardest (position) because of the unique skill set," Howson said. "There just aren't many around because it takes time to develop, and you need to have certain skills: vision, patience, mobility and a good shot."

Eight days into the free-agent period, it appears unlikely that the Jackets will fill the hole on the open market with a high-salary player. Howson is exploring trade options -- he has a glut of wingers -- but cautions that he will remain patient and would be comfortable starting the season with the defensemen under contract.

Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock echoed Howson's sentiments regarding the players on the depth chart.

"We will be better even if we don't change anyone, based on continuity and young players improving," Hitchcock said.

After watching the franchise make its first playoff appearance and re-sign captain Rick Nash to an eight-year contract extension, fans have rising expectations. The prospect of returning the same defensive corps that finished 22nd among 30 teams in scoring and last on the power play is a sobering thought to many.

The Jackets addressed their biggest need in the draft, using their top pick to select slick-skating defenseman John Moore. His early reviews are encouraging, but Moore is probably several years from playing in Columbus.

In an age of neutral-zone traps, the offensive defenseman might take the longest to cultivate. Chicago's Brian Campbell spent nearly 180 games in the minors honing his skills. San Jose's Dan Boyle didn't score more than 26 points until his third NHL season.

The Jackets must hope for continued progress by Kris Russell, who had two goals and 19 assists last season, and Fedor Tyutin, who had a career-high nine goals and 25 assists.

Hitchcock said that unless the Jackets acquire a power-play quarterback, he's not opposed to trying forwards Derick Brassard and Jake Voracek on the point. Both played there on the power play in juniors.

However, Hitchcock conceded that it's a big jump. "You can't fool players in the NHL," he said. "You can fool younger players at the junior level, but not up here."

It's one reason why good offensive defensemen are among the game's highest-paid players, and why decent ones are among the game's most-overpaid players.

With the salary cap virtually flat and the Jackets focused on re-signing the likes of Steve Mason, Brassard and Voracek in coming seasons, the franchise is not expected to be in the hunt for big-ticket, puck-moving defensemen this summer.

Even the top free agents left, such as Derek Morris and Dennis Seidenberg, probably are not on the Jackets' radar unless their asking price drops dramatically.

The Jackets' best hope might be getting an offensive defenseman through a trade. As some teams need salary-cap relief or help at other positions, Howson could strike, as he did last season in acquiring Tyutin and R.J. Umberger.

Toronto has nine NHL-level defensemen on its roster. San Jose, meanwhile, has just eight forwards signed next season and is only $1.3 million under the $56.8 million cap. It's thought that the Sharks were one of the teams the Jackets talked with about a trade before last month's draft.

It would not be surprising, however, to see Howson wait, as that's consistent with the franchise's offseason theme: improving from within.

A glaring need would remain, but these days, the singular beats the plural.

treed@dispatch.com