NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers Can Offer Columbus Most Enticing Package for Rick Nash

Plenty of teams in interested in the services of Rick Nash, but if the Columbus Blue Jackets truly want the best package in return, they will deal the right winger to Philadelphia.

ESPN's Pierre LeBrun recently reported that the Flyers "are part of the 'in' crowd" surrounding the Nash talks, and Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News mentioned that the Flyers could be forced to send James van Riemsdyk, Sean Couturier, Sergei Bobrovsky and possibly their first-round pick to Columbus if they want to make the dream combo of Nash and Claude Giroux a reality.

While I would hesitate to do this deal if I was Philadelphia, Columbus should jump all over the opportunity if it presents itself.

They won't be able to easily replace Nash's incredible playmaking ability, but this mix of youth and talent would be a perfect haul for a team that clearly has their sights set on the future.

Van Riemsdyk missed 39 regular-season games with a broken foot, but the 23-year-old left winger was still able to score 11 goals and dish out 13 assists in 43 games. He should be fully healthy next season and he would certainly help ease the loss of Nash.

Ditto for Courturier, who was one of the most impressive young players in recent memory. The 19-year-old center was second on Philadelphia in plus/minus at plus-18, and he was brilliant in their postseason run, particularly against Pittsburgh in the first round.

He would be an incredible asset for Columbus to build around, giving the Blue Jackets some major hope for the future. Throw in the promising young goalie Bobrovsky and another first-round pick, and this deal would be a no-brainer for Columbus.