NHL Rumors: Blue Jackets GM Guarantees Messy Few Months for Rick Nash

Things will go from awkward to messy for the Columbus Blue Jackets. It may actually go from messy to awkward. Either way, things will be horrible for Rick Nash moving forward, and you can thank GM Scott Howson for that. 

The trade deadline came and went, and the status of Rick Nash as the Blue Jackets captain remains unchanged. As for Nash being a fan favorite, that may take a hit now. 

After a deadline that fell flat for the Blue Jackets, Howson spoke with reporters and divulged a dirty little trade demand fans may be eager to hear. Via Yahoo Sports:

"

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.

"

Oops. 

Nash can now enjoy the vitriol from fans who had been holding up signs for him to stay in Columbus. Little did they know that it was up to him all along, and that he could have pulled a trade off the table at any moment. 

I am willing to bet Howson was not about to sell off his franchise player for anything short of a king's ransom, and that is precisely what seems to have happened. 

TSN's Darren Dreger reported via Twitter:

"

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"

With just 18 wins, 43 points and pretty much a lock on the title of worst team in hockey, the Blue Jackets have worn out their advantage to Nash as the only team he has known. 

Nash has every right to ask for a trade, just as the franchise has to get what they can for him. 

However, fans are not as sensible in understanding players and their will to play for a winner. We may just see a player normally lauded with applause getting some vitriol and venom thrown his way. 

This should be an ugly few months until trade rumors start up once again at the NHL draft.

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