Rick Nash and Columbus Blue Jackets soon to separate -NHL Update
It has definitely been an awkward season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have had to trade a number of their star players after acquiring them during the offseason but now the tables have turned yet again as their star player and captain, Rick Nash, is
reported to have been demanding a trade before the deadline.
Seemingly, Rick Nash cannot be blamed in this situation as the veteran player has been with Columbus for nine straight season and has not played with another team throughout his season, but has made the postseason only once in that duration.
Such a situation would trigger the need of changing teams in any player who is looking to actually work towards a championship as there is definitely no hope for Columbus this 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season either.
Not only is Rick Nash pushing for a deal with another team before the February 27, 2012, deadline which is less than a day away now, but his agent is as well.
“We’re hopeful a deal can get done prior to the trade deadline that is fair and equitable for the Blue Jackets,” Nash’s agent, Joe Resnick, told TSN’s Bob McKenzie. “However, if a deal is not reached, then the list of acceptable teams will not change at
a later date.”
Nash and his agent are definitely looking for the best possible deal at hand and with a wide array of options and the time ticking down, talking detail is not an option at the moment as more and more teams lose interest due to the high demand.
One of the issues with acquiring Nash from another team’s perspective is the huge salary the veteran player demands each year. He is currently on an eight-year contract worth a whopping $62.4 million with an annual salary cap hit of $7.8 million.
Other teams are also worried about adjusting the player to their line-up with the playoffs right around the corner and club chemistry at its all time high, adding a new face might be disastrous.
"Teams at the top of the standings are leery about affecting their chemistry right now," said one executive, "but teams that aren't, maybe like the Sharks, are maybe trying to change it, so that could bring them into the mix."
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