NHL Trade Rumors: Is Rick Nash Going to Finally Be Traded out of Columbus?

Yesterday, @HockeyBreak reported that Bobby Ryan could be going on the market again. Today, these above tweets indicate that Rick Nash could be traded. While this is speculation, one has to wonder what team is willing to trade for Nash.

The rumor states that Nash would prefer a small-market team. However, Nash carries a $7.8 million cap hit. He would count against a potential team's cap for the next seven years.

Some small-market teams have all the cap space but are limited with an internal budget. If Nash were to be traded, it would signal a complete rebuild of the Blue Jackets franchise.

This offseason, the Blue Jackets brought in center Jeff Carter and power-play point shot James Wisniewski to help improve the offense. However, injuries and bad luck have prevented Columbus from gaining chemistry and getting off to a good start in the standings.

This situation is very interesting. Nash is a young power forward who, in the right system, could likely be a consistant 35-plus goal and 80-point scorer. Nash's size allows him to power his way towards the net before unleashing a lethal wrist shot.

Nash would have to waive his NTC if a deal was going to occur. The only way Nash moves his NTC is if he is sent to a team of his choice and the deal benefits the Blue Jackets. Nash loves playing in Columbus and if he leaves town, he doesn't want to leave the team in shambles.

One Columbus would like to address is goaltending. Given their current record, the Blue Jackets will likely get a lottery pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. This would allow the Jackets to draft a quality forward or defenseman. If the Blue Jackets could trade Nash for a goaltender, forward, a draft pick and prospect, chances are Nash would waive his NTC.

Nash has been one of those players who has been a loyal soldier. He was drafted by Columbus and signed a long deal with the team in order to show his dedication to the team. However, other lottery draft picks like Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Gaborik have since left their team via free agency and in-season trades.

While nothing is definite, the possibility of Rick Nash being traded should fuel the flames on some early trade deadline rumors.

Tom Urtz, Jr. is an NHL featured columnist. For NHL news, updates and alerts about players: