Rick Nash Trade Rumors: Blue Jackets Have Right Attitude with Superstar Winger

While the Columbus Blue Jackets have a huge potential trade chip in Rick Nash, there is no need for them to shop him. They can sit back and let some desperate team come calling. Fortunately, reports are that they are taking the right steps. 

Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch quoted Columbus GM Scott Howson taking the approach that fans of the team will have to find encouraging. 

"

We're waiting for the right deals...We're getting closer. But we're not there yet.

"

This is the perfect idea for the Blue Jackets. Nash is young and under contract for a long time, so there is no pressing need to unload him.

Bob McKenzie of TSN also said that the Kings might have a sense of desperation to them, as they are the worst team in the NHL in terms of goals per game and now sit on the outside of the playoffs. Not surprisingly, one of the names McKenzie mentioned was Nash. 

But again, it has to be restated that the Blue Jackets don't need to unload Nash. Sure, they can move him and will definitely bring in great value, but this is far from a pressing need. He is 27 years old and under contract through the 2018 season, so the future of Nash in Columbus is secure if this trade doesn't happen. 

The Blue Jackets need to be looking for exactly what the Kings are: a desperate franchise looking for quick offense to make a playoff push. That team will overpay for a player like Nash. 

So, looking back at Howson's quote, the word "waiting" is extremely encouraging. There is no need for the Blue Jackets to do anything but wait. Looking for the deal is a good way to be sure that you don't get the most value for Nash. Waiting for the right one to come around guarantees that if a trade does happen, it will be the right one. 

If Nash was a pending free agent that the Blue Jackets had very little chance of bringing back, then I would say that they need to be proactive, looking for something rather than nothing. But Nash is a top-10 player under contract for another five years. 

They are in the right spot to sit back and wait for the Kings (or anyone) to make the right offer. If it doesn't come, they have nothing to lose in keeping Nash. If it does, then the deal is sure to be beneficial. 

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