NHL Trade Rumors: Columbus Blue Jackets' Derick Brassard No Longer Available?

During the early part of the season, as the Columbus Blue Jackets' struggles were just beginning, center Derick Brassard spent most of his time as a healthy scratch.

Over time, the rumors of Brassard being shipped out of Columbus became more and more intense, and it was thought to be inevitable that the 24-year-old would spend the rest of the season elsewhere.

The youngster had shown in past seasons with the Jackets that he has the talent to one day be a top-line center.

However, in two seasons, Brassard went from the team's No. 1 center to jumping in and out of the lineup due to a surplus at the center position.

With the team sitting at the bottom of the standings, every player was considered unsafe to being traded, but Brassard's name was at the top of the list.

The 2006 first round pick was the player thought to likely bring back the most in return that wasn't named Rick Nash or Jeff Carter.

However, with the firing of head coach Scott Arniel last week, Brassard's name seemed to disappear from the trade rumors.

During Arniel's tenure, he was accused by Brassard's agent of making his client the scapegoat while the Jackets struggled.

Now that Arniel is no longer with the team, Brassard is no longer available according to TheHockeyNews.com.

Michael Russo of StarTribune.com was told that the Jackets will see if Brassard excels with yet another new coach.

"Forget about Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard. Russo was told Brassard had been taken off the market after Scott Arniel was fired as coach of Columbus," wrote Lyle Richardson in his article for The Hockey News.

With Brassard off of the table, the most talked about Blue Jacket is now captain Rick Nash.

Although general manager Scott Howson has said countless times that his star is not available, the rumors continue to swirl that his time in Columbus may finally be coming to an end.