NHL Rumors: Rick Nash Not Fit to Be Captain After Trade Request

It's all out in the open now. Rick Nash requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets and in light of that, he shouldn't be captain anymore. Columbus was unable to find a deal to their liking, so they hung on to their star.

Nash had a solo press conference and Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch quoted Nash as follows:

"

Q: Rick, you’re the captain, but you’ve gone on record saying you want to be traded. Based on yesterday, that could take a while. It may take months...Can you still be captain?
A: That’s management’s decision.

Q: Tell us how you feel about remaining the captain, and keeping the C?

A: I would love to keep it. I believe I’m the leader of this group right now, and these guys. I think, no matter what, nothing has changed in my mind. I will still lead by example and go out there and do everything I can to win games for this city and for these fans.

"

There are no hard feelings, it isn't a move of spite; but how can someone be a captain or leader of men, when those men know the leader has a desire to leave?

He can't.

That's precisely why Nash shouldn't wear the C anymore.

The Blue Jackets were in a difficult position. They could have held that information until after a deal was done for Nash this offseason. By releasing the information now, they chose to take the pressure off themselves—you know, the whole "It wasn't us, it was him" approach. Thereby, they are able to save some face with the fans.

Nash was a stand up guy and he admitted that he did request the trade. He says that he believes the trade was in the best interest of both he and the Blue Jackets.

That to me says, I'm tired of losing and I can't take it anymore.

That is understandable, but it doesn't remedy the awkward feeling in that locker room. Will teammates and fans understand that Nash has toiled nine long years in a organization that has been to one postseason in it's existence?

I don't know, but being a captain is about being on board for the short-term and long-term goals of the cause. Nash can not look his teammates and fans in the eye and truthfully say that he is anymore.

Because of that, Columbus should go without a captain until next year. It would be the best decision for Nash and the team. It will lay the groundwork for a new era in Blue Jackets' hockey. Without Nash, that is where the team is headed.