As the hockey world stands still waiting for free agent superstars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to decide where they seemingly wish to play out the rest of their careers, the Columbus Blue Jackets and their superstar Rick Nash are anxiously waiting for a trade market to develop for Nash's services.
It is believed that once Parise signs, any team who failed to acquire the forward would then pay hand-over-fist to trade for Nash.
According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, the Ottawa Senators were more than willing to try and get a deal done to bring Nash to Canada's capital city regardless of where Parise signed. Surprisingly, so too were the Blue Jackets. The only one not interested in the deal was Nash.
Via the Columbus Dispatch:
Ottawa is not on Nash's preferred list, either, and the Senators have publicly pulled themselves out of the running. GM Bryan Murray told Sportsnet yesterday that he's not "chasing." That's a setback to the process, as source say the Blue Jackets got deeper into talks with the Senators than any other club. It was in those talks that the Marc Methot - for - Nick Foligno idea was born, a trade that was consummated yesterday.
While Nash's 'list of desired teams' has yet to be made public, it is assumed that the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks are preferred destinations. The Carolina Hurricanes have made a heavy push as well, but it is believed that Nash doesn't want to play in Carolina.
For more on the Columbus Blue Jackets, go to The Cannon. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page, or watch SB Nation's YouTube channel: