NHL Rumors: Why Flyers Shouldn't Trade for Rick Nash

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Rick Nash may be a superstar, but the price is too high for the Philadelphia Flyers to consider trading for him.

Nash has seen his name pop up in various trade rumors ever since February.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reported on Tuesday:

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The Philadelphia Flyers, a source told ESPN.com Tuesday, are also part of the "in" crowd when it comes to talks with Columbus on Nash.

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Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News noted that a deal for Nash may include James van Riemsdyk, Sean Couturier, Sergei Bobrovsky and possibly even the Flyers' 2012 first-round draft pick.

Although Van Riemsdyk was selected No. 2 overall in the 2007 NHL draft by the Flyers, he hasn't quite lived up to his potential yet, in part because of various injuries he's suffered. In that sense, he appears expendable.

On the other hand, including Couturier, Bobrovsky and a first-round draft pick is simply giving up too much for one player. Yes, Nash once led the NHL in scoring, but he's also 28-years-old and he comes complete with a $7.8 million cap hit. Will he be worth it down the line when he's in his 30s, with his contract set to run out in 2018? I'm leaning toward, "No."

I understand why the Flyers would do this deal. They get a star to pair up with Claude Giroux and they erase the burden of having to carry Van Riemsdyk's six-year, $25.5 million contract (set to kick in on July 1).

But giving up more pieces, along with a first-round pick, is illogical, given Nash's age and the fact that the Flyers aren't exactly desperate, making it to the Eastern Conference semifinals this season. They are much better off finding a cheaper option who can still give them a boost in the postseason.