NHL Trade Rumors: L.A. Kings Must Make Desperate Move to Acquire Rick Nash

The Los Angeles Kings have fallen out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference and must make a desperate move to acquire Rick Nash, because missing the postseason would be unacceptable for a roster that has so much talent.

The Kings are interested in Nash and are reportedly on the list of five teams that the Columbus Blue Jackets' star winger would accept a trade to.

If the Kings are to make the playoffs, they have to acquire a proven goal scorer. Unfortunately for L.A., Nash is the best one available.

Failure to acquire Nash could result in the Kings missing the playoffs. It could also result in general manager Dean Lombardi losing his job.

Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times wrote about Lombardi in a recent article:

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If he acquires a high-impact scorer by the trade deadline of noon Pacific time Monday, he can salvage a season that began with high expectations but descended into a grim battle to score goals and make the playoffs.

Failure to reach the postseason could cost Lombardi his job and there would be no reason to argue he should stay.

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The Kings offense has been terrible in February and has scored one or fewer goals in six of nine games, while being shutout twice as well. This month, the Kings are 3-5-1 with an average of 1.77 goals per game. Los Angeles has dropped to dead last in the NHL in goals per game because of their recent offensive struggles.

Nash would really help the Kings in several areas. For starters, he is a proven goal scorer that can excel five-on-five or on the power play. He's a big body that brings a physical presence to the ice and his toughness helps make him an elite power forward. The Kings could really use a big power forward like Nash, who can score and punish opponents on the forecheck.

The price for Nash will be high, and it's probably going to be something like a young NHL star, two elite prospects and a first-round pick.

The Kings can offer the Blue Jackets a combination of young goaltender Jonathan Bernier, young defenseman Jack Johnson, some prospects and a first-round pick in a deal involving Nash. The Blue Jackets desperately need a goaltender for the future; Bernier is a talented player who has a bright NHL career ahead of him.

Acquiring Nash will be costly, but the Kings must make a major move in order to qualify for the playoffs. Since Nash is one of the few elite players available, he's the best option Lombardi has before the deadline.

Although it comes with some risk, making a trade for Rick Nash is the move the Kings must make this week to improve the team.

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Nicholas Goss is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter.