Rick Nash has been the hot story since word came down on Tuesday that he and the organization would entertain trade offers.
Many responses from fans of the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings, three teams rumored to have interest in acquiring Nash, argue that he’s being overvalued by CBJ GM Scott Howson or Blue Jackets fans.
Yesterday, Mike posted the only Rick Nash trade scenario he could handle.
Again, the backlash was that Nash wouldn’t command a return of Cory Schneider, Cody Hodgson, and Keith Ballard OR Sami Salo and Mason Raymond.
Similarly, New York Rangers fans feel like Brandon Dubinsky, Chris Kreider, a 1st round pick, and potentially an NHL ready defenseman is too much for Nash.
I personally feel like the Kings are the best fit. They’re stocked on defense and have a pipeline of solid goalie prospects. I like a deal where Nash is sent to Los Angeles for Jonathan Bernier, Jack Johnson, and Slava Voynov/Thomas Hickey OR a mid-prospect and first round pick.
All of these proposal’s might seem too rich for Rick Nash… and maybe they are.
Here’s the sticking point: The Blue Jackets don’t have to trade Rick Nash. I believe this has been handled in such a way that if a great deal doesn’t come through, Nash can continue to be a Blue Jacket with no hard feelings (at least no hard feelings that he would express). Remember the trade frenzy of 2009 that involved Vincent Lecavalier not being traded to the Montreal Canadiens? Maybe more importantly, this isn’t Ilya Kovalchuk in 2010. Nash is already signed long-term and has repeatedly stated he’s happy in Columbus and wants to see a winner here.
If the value isn’t there for the Blue Jackets, they’re not going to move him just to move him. This isn’t a Jeff Carter situation, where the team wants to cut their losses and get some value while they can. And if Howson could move Carter and somehow get a goalie or defenseman in return, I think that would lessen the need of trading Nash. But again, if the value is there, he’s going to make the trade, and that’s why these conversations have started.
The true trade will likely fall somewhere between the two extremes, but ultimately unless the value is there for Columbus, I don’t see them taking the deal.