Columbus Blue Jackets: Reasons Why Rick Nash Isn't Going Anywhere

Team's front office members learn a lot about their teams in the first month of the season. One of the main things that is realized is whether or not there is a chance for their respective teams to have a shot to contend for one of the eight highly contested playoff spots.

If there is a chance, they focus on what they need to complete the puzzle and make that happen before the trade deadline ends in late February.

If it seems the chances are slim, then the front office may look to deal away some of their key players for draft picks and prospects so that the team can rebuild.

This season so far for the Columbus Blue Jackets has been nothing of what was expected in the offseason. After a big trade for All-Star Jeff Carter, and the high-profile signing of James Wisniewski, it was finally time for the Jackets to make a name for themselves in the Western Conference.

However, after 16 games, the Jackets have only been able to win three games and have a total of seven points.

Rumors have begun to emerge about the team looking to upgrade in net, possibly trying to trade for New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabakov.

As the Jackets' front office continues to try and save the season, others believe it is already over and that there is no hope left. Some have even gone as far as the possibility of trading the team's star and captain, Rick Nash.

However, Nash isn't going anywhere, and here are five reasons why.

The Additions of Carter and Wisniewski Would Be a Complete Waste

The goal during this past offseason was to build around Rick Nash. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson was looking for the missing puzzle pieces to the team and was willing to do whatever it took to find them.

In the end, the team traded away it's first round pick and youngster Jakub Voracek to take on the large contract of center Jeff Carter. Then, signed defenseman James Wisniewski to a six-year deal worth $30 million.

Although the Jackets' season has not gone according to plan, they still believe they can turn it around and shipping the team's best player and leader out of town seems a bit outrageous.

If the team had plans to ship Nash then they most likely would have never traded their first round pick for Carter, or shelled out the money for Wisniewski. The Jackets would have used the pick to continue their building through their farm system like players Ryan Johansen and defenseman John Moore.

Howson did not make the riskiest moves in his tenure with the team to just call it quits less than 20 games in.

Front Office Has Shown Their Cards, Trading Nash Isn't One of Them

When the Jackets had the hit rock bottom against the Philadelphia Flyers a few weekends ago, the team's front office warned of changes ahead. Most had thought that Scott Howson or head coach Scott Arniel would be out of a job by Monday morning, but the two still remain with the team.

Instead, the Jackets began the first of possibly many trades by acquiring center Mark Letestu from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round pick. Later in the week, they would deal defenseman Kris Russel to the St. Louis Blues for Nikita Nikitin.

Columbus has made it public that they are not finished rearranging the team and have shown other teams who they may be willing to deal.

With the Letestu deal, the Jackets add yet another center to a roster that is full of them. Howson stated that the deal was not a sign of another deal, but could lead to one of their top centers going elsewhere.

Youngster Derick Brassard went from the team's No. 1 center last year to a healthy scratch on consecutive nights. Brassard could bring a lot in return as he has shown a lot of promise in his short career.

Antoine Vermette and Samuel Pahlsson could also be possible trade bait as both have struggled in the past and could use a change of scenery.

Out of all of the trade talk going on in Columbus, Rick Nash's name has not come up in the front office or from the mouth of the 27-year-old himself.

There Are More Important Issues to Take Care of Before Even Thinking of Nash

At the end of last season, it was uncertain whether or not Jackets' goaltender Steve Mason would be given another chance to prove to everyone that he could be the team's No. 1 goaltender.

After winning the Calder Trophy in his rookie season, Mason followed up with back-to-back seasons where he struggled with consistency.

In the end, Scott Howson decided to stick with Mason, a huge risk for a guy who could be out of a job if the team missed the playoffs yet again.

After just one month, it is clear that Howson's risk did not pay off as Mason has had an unimpressive start to the season.

Some of his struggles can be attributed to the fact that the Jackets' defense is sub-par or that he has had to start almost every game because of injuries behind him, but the excuses can only go so far.

The team has made it public that they are looking for replacements in net and names such as Tuukka Rask, Evgeni Nabakov, and Corey Schneider have emerged as interests to the team.

The Jackets would most likely deal a center as they have a surplus at the position. Like mentioned earlier, Vermette and Brassard have been brought up as trade bait to fix their problems in net.

Before there is any mention of the team looking to trade Nash, the Jackets should fix the goaltending issues immediately. If the team can find a talented replacement then Columbus may actually look like a competitive team on the ice.

There Is Still a Lot of Season Left to Play

The Columbus Blue Jackets currently find themselves at dead last in the NHL. In the Western Conference, they are four games back from the next highest team and six games back from the eighth playoff spot.

As bad as those numbers sound, there is still plenty of time for the Blue Jackets to turn things around. I am not saying that they could get into the top-five or even make the playoffs, but they still have a chance to make things interesting.

Not even a fourth of the season has been played and the Jackets are finally getting their healthy key players back. Jeff Carter returned from his fractured foot and shut-down defenseman Marc Methot came back after suffering a thumb injury. Backup netminder Curtis Sanford has finally been activated after spending the start of the season on injured reserve.

The loss of goalie Mark Dekanich still hurts, but adding more depth with Sanford will help Mason. Losing Dekanich also speeds up the urgency for the Jackets' front office to bring in a more talented netminder.

With the return of key players and a possible trade looming, the Jackets could receive a much-needed spark and could begin to string some wins together.

If the Jackets were to trade Nash now, they would already be declaring the season as a total loss and Scott Howson will be out of a job. If he wants any chance of staying employed in Columbus, he should keep Nash around.

Trading Away the Face of the Franchise Could Lead to Relocation

When you look in the stands of Nationwide Arena, the jersey you will see the most is that of Rick Nash.

Nash has been around this city and this team since 2002 and quickly became the face of the franchise and has put fans in the stands every season.

If the Jackets were to trade Nash away, the fanbase would undoubtedly be upset and attendance levels would drop even more then they already have.

The Blue Jackets are already in financial struggles as it is, losing $25 million at the end of last season.

Relocation has not been talked about in Columbus as much as Phoenix, but trading away the face of the franchise would certainly not help the team out of debt, especially after jumping in the top-ten in salaries with the additions of Carter and Wisniewski.

Moving Nash is not a smart move for the front office and doing so could create a lethal domino effect.