NHL Trade Deadline: Rick Nash Stays in Columbus... For Now.

The talk of the 2012 NHL Deadline was undoubtedly would Columbus move Rick Nash especially after they trade Jeff Carter to the LA Kings last week for Jack Johnson and a first round pick. Today's answer is no, no they would not but following the deadline's passing the answer is leaning to yes, in the Summer of 2012.

Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson tried his hardest to trade the prolific winger and captain but no one was willing to meet his high demands so Howson did what was best for his team, he held onto Nash. But this is where the story gets interesting. Howson called Nash to inform that he was not able to move him at the deadline and also inform him that he would be going public with Nash's demand to be traded.

Howson spoke with the media after the passing and dropped this bombshell on the Blue Jackets' fans who had been showing up with signs urging the team to keep Nash, "With respect to Rick Nash, he approached us and asked us to consider trading him. We agreed to accommodate his request as long as we could get a deal that would provide us with cornerstone pieces to help us to compete for a Stanley Cup championship in the coming years. It did not happen by 3 o'clock today. This is too important to our franchise and our fans to do a deal that is not in our best interests."

That sound you heard was the echo of the collective fan base (all 500 of them) and their hearts being broken. The best player their franchise has seen and most likely ever will see wants out. In his eight year career, Nash has seen the playoffs once and was bounced in four game by the Detroit Red Wings. In the summer of 2009 after making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history Nash signed an 8-year extension to take play in 2010-2011 having no idea rookie phenom Steve Mason would turn into a siv. Nash doesn't want to risk being the next Mats Sundin, sticking around trying to be the guy and captain to turn the franchise around and win a Cup only to see his talents wasted by a terrible surrounding cast who chokes or ever worse can't make the playoffs.

So what happens next? If the fans turn on Nash, which they probably will then GM Scott Howson will contact teams in the summer leading up to the draft. His asking price likely won't drop but teams might be more willing to strike a deal then instead of messing with chemistry now. Likely suitors will be the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks and depending on the retirement of Nick Lidstrom, the Detroit Red Wings. While Howson likely won't drop his price, Nash likely won't be willing to go just anywhere and waive his no-trade clause.

All we and Rick Nash can do now is sit back and play the waiting game... (Fast forward the 0:45 mark to get the joke)