NHL Trade Rumors: 5 Reasons Tuukka Rask for Rick Nash Doesn't Makes Sense

A Tuukka Rask for Rick Nash trade does not make sense for the Boston Bruins for a number of reasons, but mainly because Rask is the future between the pipes for the team.

Earlier in November, there were reports that the Bruins had received calls from some NHL teams regarding a trade involving Rask, including interest from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

With Steve Mason failing to show he can be a dependable goalie, and the Blue Jackets getting off to a terrible start, it was clear that Columbus needed to find a new goalie for the future.

Let's look at why the Bruins should not deal Rask for Rick Nash, who is one of the best power forwards in the NHL.

Tim Thomas Is 37 with Injury History

Tim Thomas is one of the best goalies in the NHL and is coming off an historic season in which he set the all time record for save percentage in a season, and won the Vezina and Conn Smythe Trophies, along with the Stanley Cup.

He is however, 37 years of age. He also has had hip problems, but after his surgery in the summer of 2010 the hip has not been a problem for him.

Thomas has a few years left as an elite goaltender but he won't be around for much longer. With his age and previous injury history, the Bruins need a reliable backup at all times.

Rick Nash's Salary Would Hurt the Bruins

Rick Nash makes $7.8 million for the next five seasons, and his cap hit would destroy the Bruins' financial flexibility under the salary cap.

Due to the uncertainty of the new NHL CBA next summer, with no knowledge of how low or high the new cap will be, the Bruins cannot afford to have any major contracts that will limit their ability to compete.

Nash would be the Bruins highest paid player, making about $1 million more than captain Zdeno Chara.

Rask Has Proven He Can Be a No. 1 Goalie

Tuukka Rask's play in the 2009-10 season while Tim Thomas was battling injuries was amazing, and in his first full NHL season he helped the Bruins get to the second round of the playoffs.

He played in a ton more games than he ever had in a season, and showed he could be a very valuable goalie for the future.

Rask is fundamentally sound, and is quite talented. When Thomas retires the Bruins' goaltending ability won't decrease much at all when Rask steps in and becomes the full-time starter.

The Bruins Don't Need Another Power Forward

The Bruins are the toughest and most physical team in hockey, and even though Rick Nash is probably the best power forward in hockey, Boston does not need another physical goal scorer.

With Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic, the Bruins have two power forwards with 30-goal capability every season.

Nash is a tremendous player, but if the Bruins needed an offensive player near the trading deadline, finding a sniper would likely be the direction they take.

With Tyler Seguin Becoming a Star, the Need for Nash Has Lessened

Had a Nash for Rask trade been an option prior to last season, the Bruins might have considered it. At one point it was possible the team would trade Thomas to Philadelphia for then-Flyers center Jeff Carter before last season.

However, with the Bruins now second in the NHL in goals scored per game, the need for offense has lessened.

Especially when you consider that sophomore forward Tyler Seguin has become a fantastic player and is on pace to be a point per game scorer. Seguin already has 12 goals, which is one more than he scored all of last season in 74 games played.

Rick Nash is an awesome player—an elite talent—but his value to the Bruins is not worth allowing a young No. 1 goalie to leave.

Follow Nicholas Goss on Twitter. Follow @NicholasGoss35.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.