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Could Rick Nash be returning to Columbus?

February 2, 2018, 11:43 AM ET [23 Comments]
Paul Berthelot
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston was on NHL Network last night and says he expects the New Rangers to move Rick Nash before the trade deadline. When asked about possible destinations, Johnston suggested the Blue Jackets could be fit.




Nash has a limited no trade clause; he can submit a list of 12 teams he would like to be traded to. Considering he still has a house in Columbus and spends his summers there, Columbus is very likely a team he would accept a trade to.

Nash is on the last year of an eight year deal he signed back when he was with the Blue Jackets in 2009. Per Cap Friendly he carries a $7.8M cap hit. The Jackets can easily fit Nash’s deal under the cap; they are expected to have $22M in space at the deadline.

The fit for the Blue Jackets is obvious, they need goal scoring and Nash provides that. The Jackets currently sit 27th in the league in goals for with 127. The teams surrounding the Jackets in this category are teams like Edmonton, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit, Arizona and Buffalo, all teams that are in the thick of the Ramus Dahlin sweepstakes. The Jackets not only have playoff aspirations but Cup aspirations as well, and goal scoring needs to be addressed if they hope to reach these goals.

Nash isn’t the 30-40 goal scorer he was when he left Columbus, but he's consistently a 20 goal player and with 15 this season in on pace for 20 again. 15 doesn’t sound like much, but it would be tied for the most on the Blue Jackets. He’s a big body which the Blue Jackets like, Nash has experience playing under John Tortorella, and he could also be a boost for the team’s power play. Nash has three power play goals this season, which would be tied for second on the Jackets.

Nash is definitely an upgrade but the other question is always at what cost. Nash is in the last year of his deal and carries a large cat hit. He isn’t going cost a significant amount to acquire in a trade. The Jackets are not giving up a Sonny Milano or a prospect of that calibre. At most I think you’re looking at maybe a low end prospect or a second round pick, depending on if the Rangers are willing to retain salary, which they very well might be.

Seeing the reaction to this yesterday it seems many fans want no part of Rick Nash. I understand his departure wasn’t handled the best but I think Nash gets lumped it too much with how Jeff Carter left. Nash saw a team that was headed for another rebuild and wanted the chance to go win. Trading him brought the organization some good pieces which have helped shape the current team.

Regardless of how the fans feel, Nash would be an upgrade on a lot of the wingers the Blue Jackets are currently running out there. Nash scores goals and the Blue Jackets have centres who like to pass the puck. This could be a really good fit for both the player and the team, as long as the cost isn’t outrageous.

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