NHL Trade Rumors: Rick Nash Most Likely Staying in Columbus

One NHL rumor is that captain Rick Nash, of the Columbus Blue Jackets, may be traded before the deadline.

Nash has had one of the slowest starts of his career, registering only 12 goals this far in the season. His seven years in Columbus have only rewarded him with one playoff appearance.

This year, Columbus is already 20 points out of playoff contention, with a 10-23-5 record. This record has led many to speculate that Nash may seek elsewhere to play. He is only in the second year of an eight-year, $62.4 million contract.

As a captain, Nash is softer spoken than most. Many question the effectiveness of this tactic, given Columbus's current situation. A simple Google search on this pulls many results.

In an article by Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, when asked whether or not he would waive his no-trade clause, Nash was quoted as saying, 

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“That’s a tough question to answer in a situation like this,” Nash said. “I love Columbus. I love being here. I love being a Blue Jacket.

“The city of Columbus deserves a winner and deserves a good product on the ice. If it comes to that—like you said, all speculation—but if they don’t want me here, they want to move me? I’m not going to do something where it’s going to hurt the franchise just because I have that in my contract.”

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This quote has led to a popular trade rumor in the NHL that Nash may be moved to another team.

However, Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson told ESPN's Pierre LeBrun that the team has no intention of moving him. "Our position on Rick has not changed," he said.

Even though Columbus could theoretically receive a few draft picks and younger players for someone like Nash, without him they are left with almost no big-name talent on their squad.

Columbus is not one of the youngest or oldest squads in the league. Players have an average age of 27.172 years, so maybe signing some young players would give the Blue Jackets a chance in a few years.

No matter what happens, though, it appears that Rick Nash is staying.