Rick Nash Trade Rumors: Blue Jackets Blew It with High Asking Price for Nash

During the 2012 trade deadline, the Columbus Blue Jackets made a mess of a team that was already looking like a disaster.

Columbus has the league's worst record, and they were in a position to be a big sellers as the trade deadline approached. 

This season is a lost cause, but they could have made moves to improve their future with a trade of Rick Nash. Yet, they turned down all offers for Nash. 

The Rumors

Yahoo's Greg Wyshynski touches on why this is problematic. 

"

There were suitors and there were offers—the New York Rangers made a massive one, according to Darren Dreger—but Nash remains in Columbus. Which is awkward.

"

Here is the above mentioned report by Dreger.

"

Don't know details, but indications are NYR made a mammoth offer for Rick Nash today and CBJ declined.#tradecentre

"

"— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 27, 2012"

The Blue Jackets should have jumped at this offer. They are desperate to make a move, and they had one handed to them on a silver platter. 

Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson recently spoke with the media, and attempted to add some reasoning as to why this deal never happened. Howson, as quoted by Wyshynski:

"

With respect to Rick Nash, he approached us and asked us to consider trading him. We agreed to accommodate his request as long as we could get a deal that would provide us with cornerstone pieces to help us to compete for a Stanley Cup championship in the coming years. It did not happen by 3 o'clock today. This is too important to our franchise and our fans to do a deal that is not in our best interests.

"

The real scoop can be found between the lines of what he said.

Why This Was a Disaster

They held onto him out of spite. By going public with this information, it is clear that the two sides are on less than amicable terms. 

And there is no other reason than spite for the Blue Jackets to turn down every offer. Now, they have a fractured relationship with Nash. 

This is no way to do business. It sets a bad tone in the locker room, and it sends an awful message to any player thinking about re-signing in Columbus or going there in free agency. 

Congratulations, Columbus. You really stuck it to Nash. Now, enjoy sucking for the foreseeable future.