Nash on trade rumors: “As of right now, I’m a Blue Jacket”

Mike Halford

Feb 14, 2012, 1:25 PM EDT

34 Comments

Shortly after word broke that Columbus had made captain Rich Nash available for trade, Aaron Portzline of The Dispatch caught up with No. 61 following the Blue Jackets morning skate.

So, what did Nash have to say about the rumblings?

“The last couple of weeks there have been so many rumors and when a team loses, more rumors keep on surfacing,” Nash said. “That’s it seems to be right now, is just rumors.

“I’m a Blue Jacket right now. I’ve played my whole career here and it’s a special place to me. So as of right now I’m a Blue Jacket.”

Sources tell Portzlinle that Nash hasn’t requested a move — Nash’s agent, Joe Resnick, wouldn’t comment publicly — leading many to speculate the “trade Nash” idea came from last week’s meeting between owner John P. McConnell, president Mike Priest, GM Scott Howson and senior advisor Craig Patrick. It’s believed the idea was then floated to Resnick and Nash, with the understanding that because of his no-movement clause, Nash would have to approve any potential trade.

News of the captain possibly being dealt shook up the Jackets. Assistant captain Derek Dorsett told Portlize he doesn’t even want to contemplate such a move.

“I’m trying not to follow it too much or read too much into it,” Dorsett said. ”Obviously he’s the franchise guy and I really don’t want to think of it.

“Once the time comes, I guess we’ll deal with it then. You never want to see guys like that go. It would be difficult.”

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bcisleman - Feb 14, 2012 at 1:33 PM

If he is moved, FLA seems the likeliest destination. The best goalie prospect in Markstrom, a ton of assets and cap space, a GM who likes to deal and prefers big tough guys like Nash, and a contending team. And sunshine lots of it if Rick likes that sort of thing!
- miketoasty - Feb 14, 2012 at 1:41 PM
  
  First off how do you know Nash likes a lot of sun?
  
  Second, I don’t see him waiving his no trade clause to go to Florida, if he has to be traded I only see him going to somewhere with lots of talent and is a cup contender every year.
- yettyskills - Feb 14, 2012 at 2:12 PM
  
  And why isn’t Nash Vetoing a trade to Florida?
  Get a grip
  - bcisleman - Feb 14, 2012 at 2:16 PM
    
    Better question is why would he? They are the likely 3rd seed and he could be the guy who puts them over the top to be a leading Cup contender.
  - 1943mrmojorisin1971 - Feb 14, 2012 at 2:47 PM
    
    Likely the 3rd seed? How do you figure? They’re only 4 points up on the Caps, I have no idea what makes you so sure they’ve got their division wrapped up.
  - changingipaddyishardstuff - Feb 14, 2012 at 3:33 PM
    
    Bestest question would be how do you fail at seeing that Nash has never had good linemates, which would continue in Florida, and has never played in a hockey market, which would continue in Florida?
    
    You think because it’s sunny and a weak Panther team has a weak division Nash would want to go to Florida?
  - bcisleman - Feb 14, 2012 at 5:07 PM
    
    4 pts up, a game in hand, and they are 6-3-1 in the last 10 while Caps are 3-4-3. Yes, I do think they have it locked.
  - bcisleman - Feb 14, 2012 at 5:12 PM
    
    65 pts in mid February is weak? Weiss and Versteeg both have more points than Nash does. How are they weak linemates? And FLA has a lot of other talent in the system.
  - 1943mrmojorisin1971 - Feb 14, 2012 at 5:39 PM
    
    I understand as a fan you want to be optimistic. That’s a good thing. But saying a 4 point lead and a game in hand means your division is wrapped up when there are still just less than 30 games to be played is closer to arrogance than optimism. Frankly I didn’t know Panthers fans expressed either until today.
miketoasty - Feb 14, 2012 at 1:40 PM

You are also on the worst team in the league right now Mr. Nash.
broadstbully33 - Feb 14, 2012 at 2:24 PM

what are you smoking bcisleman and can I have some…..he wants to go to a constant contender detroit philly boston vancover
- bcisleman - Feb 14, 2012 at 2:40 PM
  
  I do not smoke and none of those teams have the assets and cap space to swing that deal.
  - bigtganks - Feb 15, 2012 at 2:09 AM
    
    Schneider and Ballard for Nash. Done.
- elvispocomo - Feb 14, 2012 at 3:30 PM
  
  Vancouver does if you consider Schneider, Hodgson, Jensen, Tanev, etc. (the key being Schneider). What they don’t have is the cap space unless Columbus is willing to take a contract back, like Ballard. And it remains to be seen if they’d be willing to move anyone on that list other than Schneider.
  
  Philly could try but they need defence more and won’t be sending a goalie out unless they decide they want Mason instead of Bryz.
  
  Boston isn’t moving Rask since Thomas is closer and closer to retirement (or a trade out) every day, so no go there.
  
  Detroit has the space and would love to get him, but they typically don’t give up assets in trades of this magnitude, and don’t have an NHL ready goalie Columbus would want.
  
  How’s this for a dark horse: Buffalo. They have players they don’t mind moving, a good young goalie, and a team that has the pieces to contend if they can gel. They could even move Miller (assuming he’d waive his NTC, not as likely though) and take Mason back to split duties with Enroth while he continues to develop into a legit starter. They have better draft picks, forward and defence available, it’s just whether or not Columbus sees them as valuable enough to consider moving Nash.
  
  How about Nash, Aaron Johnson and Sanford for Boyes, Sekera, Enroth and a high pick?
  - bcisleman - Feb 14, 2012 at 5:04 PM
    
    CLB might, but would you go there if you were Nash? I see FLA having the right mix of an elite G prospect, an elite F prospect, tons of cap space, and a contending team.
  - bigtganks - Feb 15, 2012 at 2:12 AM
    
    I don’t see mg ever giving up Schneider AND hodgson in the same deal or even within a year of each other. I think coho is untouchable. Not for a Nash that old.
  - elvispocomo - Feb 15, 2012 at 12:45 PM
    
    @bcisleman: Nash might not have it as a first choice, but Buffalo is at least just the other side of the border from where he grew up.
    
    @bigtganks: I don’t see MG doing both either, just that we certainly have assets to make a deal if it really came to it.
broadstbully33 - Feb 14, 2012 at 2:27 PM

Fla had to grossly overpay 3rd and 4 th liners just play there
cmutimmah - Feb 14, 2012 at 2:30 PM

Wings have cap room.. My offer:
Kindl, Mursak, G Pearce, and a second rounder

Three good young players and a second is a good negotiating starting point. Might need to throw in another tweener like Emmerton.
- cmutimmah - Feb 14, 2012 at 2:30 PM
  
  I would even consider flip flopping Brendan Smith with Kindl…
- elvispocomo - Feb 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM
  
  You think Columbus will take prospects destined for the 3rd line or backup goalie at best from Detroit in exchange for Nash? Think one of Tatar, Jurco, Brendan Smith and then add McCollum for the prospects they’d ask for, plus a roster player and a pick.
  
  Kindl is an option for a roster player, but think more like Hudler or maybe Eaves. Then add the prospect(s) and change Detroit’s 2nd (since it’s almost a 3rd) to a 1st instead. If they had a top goalie prospect they could trade (since they aren’t moving Howard) then they wouldn’t have to give up so much else to bring in someone of Nash’s calibre.
  - cmutimmah - Feb 15, 2012 at 9:05 AM
    
    OK – I don’t think they get much more than a 1st and a prospect for him, but for the sake of discussion, I would give up Pearce, Kindl, Tatar, and a second for him. I don’t think it would take more than that. But right now, Pearce is developing better than McCollum, and I originally threw in Emmerton because his value is high right now, and he’s getting recognition on the NHL Network as “another one of those Detroit young steals.” Remember these projected 3rd stringers are 3rd stringers for the Wings roster. He could be a top line guy for a team as bad as Columbus. Looks at Matthias (Red Wing castaway) in Florida, given a promotion he’s been on fire lately.
    
    Remember, Nash isn’t a 2 way guy, he’s not a do it yourself scorer, and he’ll have to buy into a puck control system (something he isn’t used to). I would akin him to Franzen. A big guy that occasionally can be shifty and has a great shot. The difference between him and Franzen is the systems and playing time. Guys can be severely over rated when talking about trades. I would think a playmaker like Datsyuk would make Nash a huge threat even with less ice time and more defensive responsibility.
  - elvispocomo - Feb 15, 2012 at 1:19 PM
    
    I could see Columbus taking less for Carter, but if they want to move Nash it’s for a big return. Nash hasn’t asked for a trade specifically at this point so they won’t deal him if they don’t get what they want.
    
    Certainly, they’d be asking for players already playing or projected at a top 6 forward or top 4 D level, not necessarily a surprise/project who could get there. They don’t want players who will look better on their team, they want to become the team that has good players on their 3rd line because that’s all the room they have for them.
    
    They can do that because Nash is a guy who creates offence for himself, he’s been doing it all these years without bonafide top line players. He is one of the top power forwards around, and would be an asset, albeit an expensive one, to help any team’s offence. He’s never had a top line playmaker, for instance Datsyuk as you mention, and could easily be a 90+ point guy on the right line.
    
    Admittedly, I don’t know a lot about Pearce, but with him being older yet still not having played an NHL game yet (McCollum has at least one callup, albeit a bad one) I’d put him behind McCollum. It depends on how much value, if any, Columbus assigns to them though since they clearly want a goalie in a deal they make either now or in the summer.
contraryguy - Feb 14, 2012 at 2:34 PM

While Nash hasn’t had much of a season, he is still the face of the Blue Jackets. I can’t see the fans embracing this at all. What next… sell off the cannon?
mrskunitzdrippinlips - Feb 14, 2012 at 3:00 PM

I’m sure his first choice would be the penguins since we have the most talent in the nhl
jamesmakesurmomneil - Feb 14, 2012 at 3:11 PM

It’s time to re-unite Nash with his gold medal line mate soup can Sid. Lord Shero is probably making moves right now to swing this deal. Why would Nash wanna go anywhere else? This would guarantee more cups for the powerhouse dynasty that is the Pittsburgh Penguins
- bcisleman - Feb 14, 2012 at 5:14 PM
  
  Who is PIT going to give CLB in return? They do not have a franchise G to offer and the talent in their system doesnt come close to Nash’s value.
changingipaddyishardstuff - Feb 14, 2012 at 3:43 PM

His 1st choice would be the Leafs, as sickening as that is to say
- bcisleman - Feb 14, 2012 at 5:16 PM
  
  Why?
firemarshal1 - Feb 14, 2012 at 7:51 PM

Mr. Glen Sather,

Don’t make the trade. We don’t need anymore 1980′s hockey teams. Plus, future salary cap issues. Don’t screw with the TEAM CHEMISTRY. NYR team is for real. There the best team in the league. Why would you screw that up. PLEASE!
firemarshal1 - Feb 14, 2012 at 7:56 PM

Let’s the Maple Leah’s or LA Kings over pay for Nash. Florida Panthers would be the logical choice for both teams. Top Goalie prospect.

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