NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Rick Nash to Rangers Rumor Is a Brutal Scenario for NY

The latest rumor on the Rick Nash to the New York Rangers saga is an absolute nightmare for the Blueshirts that their fans must pray that general manager Glen Sather doesn't follow through on.

Mark Spector of Sportsnet tweeted a new update on Nash Saturday morning:

"

Nash to NYR deal has advanced. CBJ gets 1 of Del Zotto or McDonagh, a 1st, & prospect (Tim Erixon). NYR feels offer bests #Leafs. #SNtrade

"

"— Mark Spector Sports (@SportsnetSpec) February 25, 2012"

Giving up Michael Del Zotto or Ryan McDonagh would be disastrous for the Rangers because both are fabulous young defensemen who have the potential to be elite players very soon.

McDonagh will soon be a shutdown defenseman that can stifle opposing team's best offensive players and Del Zotto is the valuable puck moving defenseman who can rack up points on a consistent basis.

New York has put a solid emphasis on developing young talent the past few seasons and it would be a shame for them to tear down much of their progress in that to acquire Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets, who is a player the Rangers don't even need. The Rangers need more left wing depth, which Nash won't be able to give them.

New York has been the best team in the Eastern Conference—and arguably the NHL—all year. There's no reason to break up this roster, which not only has promise for this season but many years down the road.

Sather has built a team that has dominated with great goaltending and solid defense and acquiring Nash would hurt the Rangers' ability to win with this style of play as the playoffs approach.

The Rangers don't lack toughness or physical play from their forwards. Nash's skill set isn't something the team desperately needs.

The other interesting part of this proposed deal is that it makes no sense at all for the Blue Jackets. They received defenseman Jack Johnson plus a first-round pick from the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday in exchange for star center Jeff Carter, and if they don't get an NHL-caliber forward in return for Nash, who is going to score for Columbus?

The Rangers can not do this deal or they will hurt their ability to win multiple Stanley Cup titles in the immediate future.

When you have two talented young defensemen such as Del Zotto and McDonagh, you can not give them up without seeing them develop to their fullest potential.

Follow @NicholasGoss35 for NHL news and analysis.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.