NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers Need to Stay Far Away from Rick Nash Sweepstakes

Hey, as long as there is a major rumor out there, the Philadelphia Flyers might as well be attached to it, right?

Well, when it comes to Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets, they should stay away.

First, the rumor, from Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly:

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Yet, sources continue to tell CSNPhilly.com that the Flyers are listening to Columbus, which had two scouts at Saturday’s game and neither were here to look at the Penguins.

One of those “scouts” was general manager Scott Howson, who again met with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren. The other was Craig Patrick, ex-Penguins’ GM.

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Players like Nash don't come cheap, of course.

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As for the asking price for a player of  Nash’s caliber? Probably Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn.

But … it may be something else. It may be James van Riemsdyk, another player, plus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Or a high draft pick besides a player.

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I say nay to that option. Unless the Flyers can upgrade their goaltending situation, I think they've already filled their major concern for this season by upgrading their defense in the wake of Chris Pronger's season-ending—and possibly career-ending—injury.

The team added solid defensmen Nicklas Grossman and Pavel Kubinak in recent trades, and they were able to improve without paying a huge cost for rentals. No, they haven't added a top-notch defensemen, but they're better off now than they were a few days ago.

They wouldn't be able to walk that same tightrope with Nash. He'll require far too much of a bounty without truly pushing the Flyers over the top in the East. He's an excellent player, but not really an excellent player at a position of need for Philadelphia.

No, I say the Flyers should balk at this option if this is legitimately on the table and keep their young core intact.

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