Good points Eric.

It is the media that make the Nash situation and the Parise/Suter signings "annoying" to people.

I think I was ready to throw-up had I seen yet another media tweet regarding Parise and Suter. And then these same media types that felt the need to provide minute by minute updates, started to whine about why it was taking these guys so long to make a decision.

The media have created the negative perception about these players and how they have decided to 'grace' Minnesota with their presense.

Taking 4 days to decide where you are going to spend the next 10 years of your life is unreasonable? How many people in the real world make a decision upon receiving multiple job offers faster than that? Never mind a job decision that will likely bind you to the employer for many years.

There was nothing wrong with Parise and Suter doing some due diligence and putting a few days of thought into their decision. They were not acting like primadonnas. They did not stick their face in front of cameras and hold press conferences to announce their decisions ala Lebron James. They did not ask for all this media attention. All they did was take a few days to understand their options.

There is nothing wrong with Howson trying to do the best he can for his franchise in making a Rick Nash trade. There is no reason for him to rush just to keep the media happy.

The thing that is "annoying" through all of this is not the players or the teams involved. They are going about business as they should. It is the media with ridiculous hourly coverage via twitter or blogs that bombard people into thinking some resolution should occur.

Really? Lindros held-out without ever playing a game. Nash requests a trade after nine years. If your apples taste like oranges then I understand your reasoning.
- dawgzhouse

demanding where he will or won't play....same mentality.

When all this started I actually felt bad for Nash, and thought howson was acting like a child. But if the guy wants out and a team like Ottawa comes in with a supposedly acceptable offer and Nash turns it down he's no better then heatly. Ottawas not a crap team an he's ha success with spezza at the wc, all he's doing is hurting clb at this point selfish
- Sabres30

Yeah, it does come off like that. Murray said he wasn't interested in guys who don't want to be here so i think we're 100% out for good in the Nash sweeps.

My thing is that if it were two seasons ago with Clouston as our coach, I could see it. I think pretty much everyone who played on the team hated it here and talk was Alfie was convinced this past season would be his last. Maclean seems to make it fun, Alfie said as much and even watching them play a fun and exciting game, it seems like a good spot to be. Lots of youthful hustle, a strong group of vets, a good goalie, a Norris trophy winner who is as exciting as anyone in the game today. The idea of Nash and Spezza has been talked about for years. I guess I just don't get the reasoning from Nash's point of view or why he wants to play in certain markets as opposed to others, including ours. He's negotiated for that right though, so I won't rip the guy, I just don't see the reasoning.

This 'take' is increasingly typical and slightly off-base imo.

Sure Doan and Ryan for the money may be better options for most teams, however, Nash has consistently scored in the absence of a bona fide number 1 center. Suggesting that his production is declining is inaccurate. He again scored 30 goals making it 7 out of 9 years in CBJ to do so and was only off his 'average' point total by about 10 pts in a year of turmoil.

At 28 his age is increasing as quickly as any other player but to imply that he is 'old', as many do, is ridiculous. He is expensive, certainly, but recent signings of mediocre players are making his salary more reasonable with each passing year.
- dawgzhouse[His cap is 7.8M]

Don't get me wrong, I like Nash. Hell, I have his Team Canada olympic jersey. I don't think he's old and certainly didn't intend to imply that, and yes, he's not ageing any quicker than anyone else

What I was getting at was more in reference to Ryan in that he seems to be getting better while younger, while Nash seems to be declining and is a couple years older. I'm definitely on board with you though that all the BS swirling around him this year may have thrown his game off. He's only human after all. A change of scenery and some more talent around him will likely do wonders for his stats line.

In regards to his salary though, he's paid like a true elite player and he simply doesn't produce like one, which any truly elite player should be able to do regardless of his supporting cast. The recent signings may make his contract appear slightly less atrocious but with the uncertainty of the new CBA we really don't know if his salary will become more reasonable or not as the years pass.

He'll find a home eventually and we'll all be able to put this behind us. Although I'm sure the payment will be discussed ad nauseum. So, is it October yet?

I you wanna come up with smarter comparables to Lindros, look for Schultz, Heatley, etc.
- Le_Moderateur

sure, heately.....same crap.
just shut it and play.

I actually have to give Howson some credit. The fact teams are still as aggressively interested as they are, suggests the kind of player Nash is, and can be. He's undoubtedly asking for a lot, but teams like Carolina, and NYR think they can get him without giving up any significant prospects. B-level prospect shouldn't get it done, and Howson should just hold on to him if that's all teams want to offer.

I actually have to give Howson some credit. The fact teams are still as aggressively interested as they are, suggests the kind of player Nash is, and can be. He's undoubtedly asking for a lot, but teams like Carolina, and NYR think they can get him without giving up any significant prospects. B-level prospect shouldn't get it done, and Howson should just hold on to him if that's all teams want to offer.
- p_zub

howson deserves no credit whatsoever.

Thanks for the lecture. However, in the "real" world, guys hired out of college don't sign contracts specifying how long they will work with their employer and at what pay level. If they did, you can bet their would be litigation if they tried to break their contract, and at the very least would not get paid another dime by their employer.

Several edits that came to mind at the time of reading.
- dawgzhouse

, my thougts as well. The trade should have occured without the news ever getting out about the request. That's the least Columbus could have done for the years of service he gave them. I'm with Nash on this one.

True, we were one team who had two things going for them in this scenario
1) We had the cap space to take him on without having to do anything else
2) We had the youth/assets to make the trade work.
I'm not at all sure what the real offers were, but the specualted trade from our end was Foligno, Zibanejad and one of Lehner/Bishop. Now, we've since shipped Foligno to Columbus for Methot, seemingly because Columbus wanted him, but that was the supposed deal. Essentially our top 2 prospects (if Lehner were included)and a young top 6 forward. Not sure the hold up elsewhere but I'd imagine with Methot being dealt, they need another D heading back.
- Lohaus

If that's the deal that was on the table it looks pretty fair on both sides. When OTT traded Rundblad for Turris a lot of people thought they overpaid. I may have thought that a bit myself, but they addressed a need while dealing a piece they could afford to part with. With Silfverberg and Bishop waiting in the wings I think they could part with the pieces you mentioned for a player as established as Nash.

While I'm not a fan of the contract and current production I think with the cap space available and the fact that he could actually play his prime years with a star C and a Norris winner making the outlet passes/playing PP QB, I can't think of a better fit for either side. If it was Nash who shot the deal down then F him! But I guess we'll never know that. Unless Howson addresses it in the press conference

howson deserves no credit whatsoever.
- Barx

wow what kind of troll like arguemnt is that

Don't get me wrong, I like Nash. Hell, I have his Team Canada olympic jersey. I don't think he's old and certainly didn't intend to imply that, and yes, he's not ageing any quicker than anyone else

What I was getting at was more in reference to Ryan in that he seems to be getting better while younger, while Nash seems to be declining and is a couple years older. I'm definitely on board with you though that all the BS swirling around him this year may have thrown his game off. He's only human after all. A change of scenery and some more talent around him will likely do wonders for his stats line.

In regards to his salary though, he's paid like a true elite player and he simply doesn't produce like one, which any truly elite player should be able to do regardless of his supporting cast. The recent signings may make his contract appear slightly less atrocious but with the uncertainty of the new CBA we really don't know if his salary will become more reasonable or not as the years pass.

He'll find a home eventually and we'll all be able to put this behind us. Although I'm sure the payment will be discussed ad nauseum. So, is it October yet?
- BlueBallz

There's no arguing about Ryan vs. Nash at this point. I wonder though how Nash will be viewed in 3 years? If he were to go to a Detroit, Chicago or Pitt I think his numbers would satisfy those that question whether or not he's an elite talent. He's my favourite player so I want to be vindicated! haha

Yay Foligno?
- rocker_71

Anyone happen to know if his new deal includes any kind of NMC/NTC?

howson deserves no credit whatsoever.
- Barx

Why? Because he refuses to give Nash away for another team's spare parts or out of favour prospects? Why do you think there have been so few trades lately? Because teams expect to get top-line players for expendable pieces. For example, the Flyers thought they could get Nash with Matt Read as a centrepiece of the deal. That's like including Bozak as a centrepiece for a trade for Nash...not going to happen. If teams continue to think that way, Nash and Ryan aren't going anywhere.

what i wanna know, howson from day 1 fo this horespoop had 1 team that was interested and is still interested now. The Rangers are their, and they want to make a deal. However, per Dreger, the rangers are growing impatient and are willing to go elsewhere to find another option. Howson needs to swallow some of his pride and lower his demands. I mean he actually askef for skinner + for Nash. Give me a (frank)ing break.

what i wanna know, howson from day 1 fo this horespoop had 1 team that was interested and is still interested now. The Rangers are their, and they want to make a deal. However, per Dreger, the rangers are growing impatient and are willing to go elsewhere to find another option. Howson needs to swallow some of his pride and lower his demands. I mean he actually askef for skinner + for Nash. Give me a (frank)ing break.
- tomburton99

Howson is being unreasonable but you do have to give to get...

Howson is being unreasonable but you do have to give to get...
- dawgzhouse

so you think jeff skinner plus is fair for rick nash?

what i wanna know, howson from day 1 fo this horespoop had 1 team that was interested and is still interested now. The Rangers are their, and they want to make a deal. However, per Dreger, the rangers are growing impatient and are willing to go elsewhere to find another option. Howson needs to swallow some of his pride and lower his demands. I mean he actually askef for skinner + for Nash. Give me a (frank)ing break.
- tomburton99

Hard to be too critical if you don't know the offer being made. Can't expect the guy to deal Nash just for the point of dealing him. If the offer was say Dubinsky (I'm not sure what he really is at this point), JT Miller (B level prospect) and Christian Thomas (C level prospect who I doubt ever makes the NHL), he'd be smart not to make the deal. There has to be a potential of legit impact coming back otherwise its pointless. This deal does need to set them up for the future.

so you think jeff skinner plus is fair for rick nash?
- tomburton99

You think Nash + is fair for Skinner?

Skinner has played 2 seasons. He's had a 60pt season and a 40pt season. While he looks like a potential star he certainly hasn't proven himself to be a perennial 30 goal scorer who can play 200ft like Nash. Nash also hasn't lost games due to a concussion like Skinner. Seriously?

what i wanna know, howson from day 1 fo this horespoop had 1 team that was interested and is still interested now. The Rangers are their, and they want to make a deal. However, per Dreger, the rangers are growing impatient and are willing to go elsewhere to find another option. Howson needs to swallow some of his pride and lower his demands. I mean he actually askef for skinner + for Nash. Give me a (frank)ing break.
- tomburton99

Is Stepan involved ?

Is Stepan involved
- Alexzanki

no. would you trade joehansen and moore for gaborik?

You think Nash + is fair for Skinner?

Skinner has played 2 seasons. He's had a 60pt season and a 40pt season. While he looks like a potential star he certainly hasn't proven himself to be a perennial 30 goal scorer who can play 200ft like Nash. Nash also hasn't lost games due to a concussion like Skinner. Seriously?
- dawgzhouse

nash this past season had 59 point season while being paided are cap friendly 7.8 million dollars. if the roles where reversed and the canes asked the jackets for skinner you would be ripping the canes a new one.

no. would you trade joehansen and moore for gaborik?
- tomburton99

If healthy yes......but Gaborik is very injury prone so no.

And again you guys are not short on centers.....

no. would you trade joehansen and moore for gaborik?
- tomburton99

Different situation. The Jackets don't need vets, they need to start over. If the Rangers had the two spects (an A level and a B+/A- level one) and the Jackets had Gaborik, it wouldn't floor me to see it happen. Always depends on needs I suppose. Its why the Sens alleged offer made sense.

If healthy yes......but Gaborik is very injury prone so no.

And again you guys are not short on centers.....
- Alexzanki

I'm all for giving up players for nash. I will list players that i would give up for Nash and reason why i have them in a deal.

Dubinsky: Only in their for cap reasons, little value right now.
Anisimov: Can play on any line and play pretty will. Streaky, but the talent is their. can play the RW or Center.
Mcilrath: good defensive prospect. wont wow with his offensive skill. He's big and mean.
Erixon: Good two way defensmen. He's not going to be in your face physical but he knows how to break up plays in the defensive zone.
St. Croix: Center playing in the whl. Had a breakout season in the whl. Slotted to be 2nd line center
2013 1st round: kind of a no brainer to be involved.