The biggest story across the NHL right now is the speculation surrounding the Columbus Blue Jackets and their plans to try and move team captain Rick Nash at some point this offseason. The preeminent power forward in the NHL today, Nash is a player coveted by every team in the league, which has given Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson a great deal of leverage in negotiations.
Via Aaron Portzline's Puck-Rakers Blog:
The Blue Jackets have shown much patience in making a Nash trade, turning down offers that weren't to their liking at the NHL trade deadline in February. GM Scott Howson continues to insist that he'll wait as long as it takes to get the right return for Nash, even if it means going beyond the start of free agency on July 1, and even if it means Nash remains a Blue Jacket heading into next season.
As talks have started to heat up in anticipation of Friday night's entry draft, Howson is still standing firm on Nash.
As for Rick Nash trade? Howson said no offers are close. "They have a ways to go yet."
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 22, 2012
This is consistent with reports from Thursday night where Howson insisted that a deal for the star forward was not any closer than it had been at the trade deadline in February.
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