Rick Nash Trade Rumors: Exploring the Possibilities of Nash Becoming a Shark

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On Thursday, Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash named the San Jose Sharks as one of the five possible teams he would accept being traded to.

The 27 year old Nash is in the prime of his career, and is arguably the biggest draw in the NHL as the trade deadline is fast approaching.

He would bring more of the goal scoring prowess that the Sharks might need entering the postseason, considering they focused heavily on defense in the off season.

But would it be worth it?

Here, we will take a look at the possible price the Sharks would have to pay if they wanted to ink a player like Nash to their roster.

 

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Other Teams in the Mix

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When a player of Nash's caliber becomes available, the rumor mills start churning faster than ever. In the last week, the hockey world has almost gone as bonkers as when Gretzky trade rumors started.

Other teams have been reported to be interested, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks, among others.

There have been reports that the Leafs might package goaltender James Reimer, the Canucks would be willing to let their current backup goaltender Cory Schneider go (since no one wants Luongo), and even reports coming from the Kings front office that Jonathan Bernier could be made readily available.

These are some pretty heavy names being reported, so even if hypothetically speaking, Nash landed in San Jose, what would it cost?

Price

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It's safe to assume that if Nash does leave Columbus, it will be for the most valuable possible combination of players, picks and cash the Blue Jackets can get their hands on.

In a situation with a player like this on the market, a Sharks fan has to look at the possibility of trading a player like Joe Pavelski, Ryane Clowe or even fan-favorite Logan Couture.

In reality, it would cost the Sharks one of those household names, as well as a prospect from the Sharks system in Worcester: a player to the likes of Justin Braun, Benn Ferriero or John McCarthy.

I just don't see the logic in making a trade with the Blue Jackets when you look at what it would cost you in goals and total points. Especially when you calculate the amount of goals the Sharks have already lost with the Setoguchi trade.

Most alarming of all, you don't have a player who's been demanding a trade here, you have a Blue Jackets team that has voluntarily placed him on the trading block.

 

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Battle in the Pacific

Hockey on the west coast is a little bit different than in the rest of the league. And that was made most clear last season as the Pacific Division playoff spots came down to a single game, again.

The Pacific Division is packed with superstar talent, and Stanley Cup contenders every year. This year is almost as tight a race as it was last year, and having a player like Rick Nash on your team could in reality make or break your post season success.

The most alarming of the Sharks' opponents are currently the Los Angeles Kings. They're on pace for another postseason, and after the defeat they faced against the Sharks in last years postseason. I'm sure they would like to have the last laugh.

More alarming than that is the amount of talent the Kings can afford to move while still remaining competitive—more than competitive. It might be safe for Doug Wilson to get in the mindset he did when the Blackhawks swept the Sharks out of the Western Conference Finals just so the Kings don't get their hands on Nash.

Is It Worth It?

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At the end of the day, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson has to ask himself the most important question, "Is it worth it?"

Is it worth giving up a load of the franchise's possible future versions of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton? More important than that, he should look at the fact that Columbus' general manager probably won't be back to manage the Blue Jackets next season.

At the end of the day, if it were my decision, I'd let LA or whoever wants Nash take him, and focus on building around the players I currently have.

The Sharks on paper are one of the most—if not the most—stacked teams in the NHL. All they really need is a few fillers around the current stars they have to fill in the blanks.

 

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