Eric Smith: Nash Story Needs To Take A Nap - Plus Development Camp Videos What can I say about the Rick Nash saga that hasn't already been said. The answer is nothing! What is sad with this entire story is the people reporting on it are either clueless about the situation, making up that they know something when they don't, trying to create a bad guy in the situation either with general manager Scott Howson or with Nash himself, naive to how basic negotiations transpire or all of the above.

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Nash sweepstakes are getting quite annoying now.

Yay Foligno?

Dalton Smith is the king. He's a destroyer of men.
I will say this, in the past season he went from looking like a guy skating with a fridge on his back to actually looking like he had some wheels. All credit to him for that. It helped him improve his overall game and he really was one of the driving forces of our team in our playoff run this year.

The point about his 10 game suspension made me chuckle though. He drove the net? Maybe should have kept his elbow down? Listen, I love this kid to death and my team is the 67s, but he intentioanlly ran Subban and finished with an elbow to the melon. He got 10 games for it, he deserved 10+ games for it. Its over now, but I found it comical how he saw it. Outside of that though, the kid is a very respectable guy, doesn't take short cuts, doesn't do cheap shots and is always willing to go.

I always like to point out the nonsense with Zharkov in the playoffs. In the first game, Zharkov kept chirping him (which is just dumb anyways) and Smith just stared at him. A couple times you could see him motion like if you want to pretend to be tough, lets go, I'm always here. Zharkov just kept yapping... until Smith destroyed this man with an open ice hit. Zharkov didnt have much to say afterwards because he is what I hate in hockey, a pretender. Just some guys you don't chirp and maybe old Z learned a lesson. You won't throw Smith off his game and he's simply a destroyer of men.

Eric Smith: Nash Story Needs To Take A Nap - Plus Development Camp Videos
What can I say about the Rick Nash saga that hasn't already been said. The answer is nothing! What is sad with this entire story is the people reporting on it are either clueless about the situation, making up that they know something when they don't, trying to create a bad guy in the situation either with general manager Scott Howson or with Nash himself, naive to how basic negotiations transpire or all of the above.
- Jackets Attack

Well said Eric


I have grown cynical about this whole Nash fiasco , to tell the truth.

But what tires me is people calling out Howson because he's a moron ,idiot or wathever negative definition of a human being.

I dont blame Howson for asking and inquiring about top talent players such as Kreider,Skinner or Couture.It's normal , that means he's doing his job, I am pretty sure some people and experts in the hockey community are simply finding an excuse to take a shot at the guy .

But either way Howson will still take some slack if he screws this trade up as much as he is trying to make it count.So in the end those same people telling the story or acting like armchair gm's are simply hypocrites.

My only problem with your analogy is that said hotshot didn't get to work for Google or Berkshire Hathaway right out of college - they were forced to work in the Geico back office fielding insurance claims. That's just the nature of the draft.

Now he has the opportunity to leave and finally go to the company of his dreams and he and his boss are exacerbating the situation by not making a choice and moving on. As such, it doesn't come across as the savviest way of handling an executive level business decision.

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

He has some success but the longer he is stroked by the organization, in an attempt to pacify him against the backdrop of their own incompetence, the less consistent his work becomes.

On the other hand, just like the way management mishandled the top protege, and many other top "proteges", they also mishandle several other things that turn a promising business into a struggling enterprise that has the competition using them like a door mat. Top protege feels, after nine years of demonstrating patience and professionalism, that he can never live up to all his promise, at the current company,although always exceeding the production levels of all other employees, and thus puts in his two weeks, er? months, notice and tries to leave on as good of terms as possible. Despite this request the protege's adept and graceful General Manager throws him under the proverbial bus, attempting to fill an uncomfortable silence in a press conference, by disclosing that the protege requested, in confidence, to work for a competitor after the current employer is compensated for his departure.
- Eric Smith

I have a feeling the teams involved are probably growing impatient with Columbus and will look elsewhere soon enough. If these teams are willing to add a massive cap hit for a player, they probably can only do one sort of deal like it so if the Nash sweeps just keep being delayed, they'll move on. If it were me, I'd give a deadline of like 48 hours and if Howsen is still debating, I'll just withdraw move along. I like Nash and all, but there are other ways to improve a roster than adding a very expensive winger.

howson-the leagues worst gm.
nash-the new eric lindros.

Eric, I agree that the vast majority of what is out there is pure speculation, but to me that is not the point. The CBJ as an organization are horrible evaluators of talent at the NHL level, with a fatal tendency to over-value its own talent. But-the main issue here is that Nash has been allowed to twist for months while Howson has tried to get what is obviously above market value for him (or the deal would be done). Class organizations do not treat stars this way. Staal want out of Pittsburgh? Done in a day. Steve Nash wants to go to the Lakers? Done. Players throughout the league see how this organization operates, and the chances of ever being a preferred destination for top talent are destroyed. Think about it-the CBJ have had one true all star in 11 years, and most people think he is being screwed. Nice.

howson-the leagues worst gm.
nash-the new eric lindros.
- Barx

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.

Eric, I agree that the vast majority of what is out there is pure speculation, but to me that is not the point. The CBJ as an organization are horrible evaluators of talent at the NHL level, with a fatal tendency to over-value its own talent. But-the main issue here is that Nash has been allowed to twist for months while Howson has tried to get what is obviously above market value for him (or the deal would be done). Class organizations do not treat stars this way. Staal want out of Pittsburgh? Done in a day. Steve Nash wants to go to the Lakers? Done. Players throughout the league see how this organization operates, and the chances of ever being a preferred destination for top talent are destroyed. Think about it-the CBJ have had one true all star in 11 years, and most people think he is being screwed. Nice.
- Eric 1

^This

howson-the leagues worst gm.
nash-the new eric lindros.
- Barx

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

Eric, I agree that the vast majority of what is out there is pure speculation, but to me that is not the point. The CBJ as an organization are horrible evaluators of talent at the NHL level, with a fatal tendency to over-value its own talent. But-the main issue here is that Nash has been allowed to twist for months while Howson has tried to get what is obviously above market value for him (or the deal would be done). Class organizations do not treat stars this way. Staal want out of Pittsburgh? Done in a day. Steve Nash wants to go to the Lakers? Done. Players throughout the league see how this organization operates, and the chances of ever being a preferred destination for top talent are destroyed. Think about it-the CBJ have had one true all star in 11 years, and most people think he is being screwed. Nice.
- Eric 1

Funny too because everyone once in a while there is a Howsen quote and often it is about making the right decision for the team. Why start now?

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

First time poster, long time lurker in the shadows. I signed up pretty much to make the same edits you made.

Good overall analogy, but definitely some major omissions re: Howson's unprofessional handling of the situation.

Howson should be placed alongside Milbury and JFJ in the pantheon of worst NHL GM's.

Eric, I agree that the vast majority of what is out there is pure speculation, but to me that is not the point. The CBJ as an organization are horrible evaluators of talent at the NHL level, with a fatal tendency to over-value its own talent. But-the main issue here is that Nash has been allowed to twist for months while Howson has tried to get what is obviously above market value for him (or the deal would be done). Class organizations do not treat stars this way. Staal want out of Pittsburgh? Done in a day. Steve Nash wants to go to the Lakers? Done. Players throughout the league see how this organization operates, and the chances of ever being a preferred destination for top talent are destroyed. Think about it-the CBJ have had one true all star in 11 years, and most people think he is being screwed. Nice.
- Eric 1

I tend to think we just miss used are prospects.......

Eric Smith: Nash Story Needs To Take A Nap

Also, this needs to be put to rest until the far better and cheaper (assets, salary and cap hit) options of Doan and Ryan have been addressed. I don't see how Nash with his declining production and increasing age and salary with a NTC can even be remotely considered with those other 2 options out there. He is owed 8.2M in the LAST year of his contract!

Eric Smith: Nash Story Needs To Take A Nap

Also, this needs to be put to rest until the far better and cheaper (assets, salary and cap hit) options of Doan and Ryan have been addressed. I don't see how Nash with his declining production and increasing age and salary with a NTC can even be remotely considered with those other 2 options out there. He is owed 8.2M in the LAST year of his contract!
- BlueBallz

Apparently Ottawa had an acceptable offer on the table for the Jackets and Nash declined to waive his no trade to come here. I think a lot of our fanbase was actually fine with that. Usually, you feel slighted, but if the other offers of teams that have been suggested are true, we were giving up a lot for a guy who really hasn't been up to much lately with a cap hit that was pretty scary.

Well the Nash saga is getting old but understand my bitterness coming off the Parise saga. I just want to see a winger for Crosby and Shane Doan is my 1st choice...

So to move on from Nash for a minute. I would like to know if RJ Umberger would be moved and his value?

Dustin Jeffrey- For some reason Bylsma and him haven't hit it off. I think he should get a chance as a top 6 in Pittsburgh. If he went to a team like CBJ I believe he would flourish on the 2nd line at W/C

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=5693

Eric Tangradi- Another guy that is a good prospect but cant break top 6 with the Pens. Not sure what he can do because Bylsma only lets him play limited minutes.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=6236

Ben Lovejoy- Solid but unspectacular.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=6537

Robert Bortuzzo and Brian Strait- Both solid in there own zone and pushing Lovejoy for a roster spot.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=6193

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=5735

Just wondering if a combination of a forward and a defensman with a pick is enough for Umberger? All of these guys should be in the NHL right now. Any combo you like?

Eric Smith: Nash Story Needs To Take A Nap

Also, this needs to be put to rest until the far better and cheaper (assets, salary and cap hit) options of Doan and Ryan have been addressed. I don't see how Nash with his declining production and increasing age and salary with a NTC can even be remotely considered with those other 2 options out there. He is owed 8.2M in the LAST year of his contract!
- BlueBallz

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. [His cap is 7.8M]

http://nhlnumbers.com/2012/6/27/rick-nash-facts

^^ Great read

Apparently Ottawa had an acceptable offer on the table for the Jackets and Nash declined to waive his no trade to come here. I think a lot of our fanbase was actually fine with that. Usually, you feel slighted, but if the other offers of teams that have been suggested are true, we were giving up a lot for a guy who really hasn't been up to much lately with a cap hit that was pretty scary.
- Lohaus

I really wish we could see the actual offers instead of what is being speculated. Not sure how much disparity there is there. That said, I think a lot of fan bases should feel as if they dodged a major bullet by not acquiring him, especially teams that are already top contenders. However, with Alfie not long for this league I think Nash could actually fit in nicely with the Sens both in a leadership aspect and I think he could be magic with an elite C like Spezza. They also have the cap space to it comfortably.

I don't know if you have noticed, but the media is starting to present Bobby Ryan as a much better option than Nash. Nash trade is taking a nap as we speak, because teams on his list are getting nowhere and CBJ is busy trying to make deals with teams he doesn't want to go to in the hopes he changes his mind. CBJ should have given up draft picks and pissed off other GM's with a massive offer sheet to a talented RFA within the last 3 years to let Nash know they were trying to improve the team with someone who wanted to be there...not trade for a guy who just signed a career contract for another team who doesn't want to be there...IMO

I really wish we could see the actual offers instead of what is being speculated. Not sure how much disparity there is there. That said, I think a lot of fan bases should feel as if they dodged a major bullet by not acquiring him, especially teams that are already top contenders. However, with Alfie not long for this league I think Nash could actually fit in nicely with the Sens both in a leadership aspect and I think he could be magic with an elite C like Spezza. They also have the cap space to it comfortably.
- BlueBallz

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.

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