Columbus Blue Jackets in search of new leading man with loss of Rick Nash -NHL Update
Right from the day that Rick Nash was drafted first overall by Columbus back in the 2002 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, it was hard to imagine the Blue Jackets without the face of their organisation, but now, it has finally happened and the team is forced to search for a new leader.
In the nine years that Nash spent on Columbus’ squad, they managed to make the playoffs just once, and that too was short lived back in 2008-2009. The Blue Jackets need to improve dramatically and who knows, this just might be the best for both stakeholders.
Over the offseason, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager, Scott Howson, really did put his heart and soul in attempting to creating a more balanced and talent filled team.
"This trade brings us the right balance we were seeking in any trade for Rick: a balance between helping the team now and helping the team in the future," Howson told the Columbus Dispatch.
He got Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov for Rick Nash and defenseman Tim Erixon along with a number of other players in other transactions.
Sergei Bobrovsky was also a big addition on to the club as the goalie will give something to Steve Mason to work for. Both will be fighting for the starting role on the roster next season and it could be providing Blue Jackets with immense goaltending depth.
"We don't have a No. 1," Howson said. "We will be more than happy to go to training camp -- if that's all we do -- then those two will fight it out to see who gets the most playing time, and I think that's a great competitive situation for our hockey team."
Defenseman Ryan Murray is also another high level addition along with Ottawa Senators’ left winger, Nick Foligno. There is no doubt in the fact now that Columbus has a lot of talent and now the other thing remaining is how to unleash that potential to actually make them a team worth playing against.
Next season is one Columbus and fans are certainly looking forward to.
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