Rick Nash Trade Rumors: Ranking Best Options for Nash Once Zach Parise Signs

A weak group of free agents has increased the level of interest in potential trade targets like Rick Nash. The dynamic Columbus Blue Jackets winger scored 30 goals for the fifth straight season and has been a popular rumor mill name since before the trade deadline.

Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports there are no shortage of teams in the hunt to land Nash. No deal is expected until marquee free agent Zach Parise makes his decision, however, as the Blue Jackets attempt to maximize trade value.

Based on Portzline's list of teams in the mix, here's a look at the three best potential destinations for Nash. He should thrive if he lands on a team that has talent around him, something the Blue Jackets weren't able to provide.

1. New York Rangers

The Rangers have been a part of the Nash sweepstakes for a long time, and they continue to seem like the best fit. Putting Nash on a line with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik (when healthy) would lead to huge scoring numbers for all three guys.

It would also allow Nash to play in a huge market. After spending his entire career in Columbus, heading to New York would probably be a bit of culture shock. But it would also give him a chance to get the respect he deserves after being overlooked for so long.

Since the Rangers already have a solid defense and Henrik Lundqvist in goal, adding Nash to an already solid offensive attack would be the piece they need to make a run at a championship. It doesn't get any better than that for Nash or New York.

2. Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia traded James van Riemsdyk to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Luke Schenn, which leaves an opening among the top six forwards that Nash would fill perfectly. He would make one of the league's top-scoring offenses even more dangerous.

The Flyers have plenty of star players, including young guns Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux, which would take a lot of pressure off Nash. After being the focal point of every team's defensive game plan while in Columbus, he would be just another weapon in Philadelphia.

Just like with the Rangers, Nash would make the Flyers an even bigger threat in the Eastern Conference. Every goal is like gold in the playoffs because the play shifts so much toward defense, so adding an elite scorer like Nash would be huge.

3. San Jose Sharks

A potential dark horse in the race is San Jose. The Sharks, who have the trade chips to make a deal happen, are perennial contenders, but haven't been able to get over the hump. Nash would give them another big-name scorer to improve their chances.

The one thing the Sharks have that few other teams do is depth up the middle. They have three talented centers, headlined by veteran Joe Thornton, which means if Nash doesn't click on one line, he can shift around until he finds a comfort zone.

San Jose would be Nash's top option if he wants to remain out of the spotlight in New York or Philadelphia. He would still have a great chance to win, but without the big stage of those markets. That makes the Sharks a dangerous sleeper in the sweepstakes.