It’s been a busy day when it comes to the rumors and reports regarding Rick Nash. To save you time, here’s a look at the latest!
It sounds like Dispatch columnist Bob Hunter thinks moving Rick Nash just continues a long, downward spiral for the CBJ.
“Nash is the only real stability that Columbus’ NHL franchise has ever had, and all signs point to him being traded either this week or shortly after the free-agent market opens on July 1, a response to a trade request he made in January.
The absurdity of this has remained with most of us like a bad case of indigestion. How it is that the only near-certainty for a team that finished with the worst record in the NHL is that it soon will trade its best player? Are the Farrelly Brothers doing a movie about this?”
If Hunter thinks change is needed at the top, he presumably is among those who would welcome the hiring of Blues President John Davidson. The Globe and Mail reached Davidson to ask him the chances that would happen, and his only answer was:
“I am an employee of the Blues.”
ESPN says the Rangers, Flyers, Sharks, and Hurricanes are interested in Nash, but the World Wide leader is skeptical about a possible deal with the Bruins…That is, even if Nash is changing addresses in the immediate future.
“But it’s not necessarily a done deal that Nash moves this week. If the Blue Jackets don’t get their multi-asset price met this week in Pittsburgh, they’re content waiting it out until Zach Parise decides his future the first week of July and perhaps capitalizing on teams that struck out on the New Jersey Devils captain and UFA to be.”
The Hockey News also analyzes Nash’s suitors and discusses the possibility that Columbus could acquire a former Buckeye.
“[Carolina has] the trifecta of assets it would take to get Nash – a good, young roster player (defenseman Justin Faulk), a good prospect (Zac Dalpe, who played his collegiate hockey at Ohio State) and the eighth overall pick in the draft.”
Now why would ESPN, The Hockey News and other news outlets include Carolina as a possible destination for Nash? Maybe it’s because of what general manager Jim Rutherford told the Raleigh News and Observer.
“I do know we’re trying as hard as we ever have at this point to be involved in acquiring a top player.”
The Leafs are noticeably absent on the list of teams prepared to make an offer for Nash, according to The Toronto Star.
“…The Leafs are convinced that if they ever were on Nash’s short-list of teams for which he would waive his no-movement clause, they aren’t now.”
But another Canadian team that might have an interest is Ottawa. Several news reports tackled that topic looking a the potential of a trade between the Jackets and Senators and both why it may and why it may not happen.
Meanwhile, the Ottawa Sun goes so far as to propose an outline for a potential deal:
“For the just-turned 28-year-old Nash, it appears the Senators are prepared to trade 2011 first-round pick Mika Zibanejad, winger Nick Foligno and goalie Ben Bishop.”
Finally, it’s still believed by many analysts that the Rangers are the frontrunner for Nash’s services, and there is some news regarding one of the pieces New York could send to Columbus if that happens.
It makes me ill at the thought of the Jackets trading Nash.