- Darren Dreger via twitter: Trade discussions between the Rangers and Blue Jackets had been ongoing, but heated up late last week. Teams from both conferences made pitches for Rick Nash, but it always came down to them saying GM Scott Howson wanted too much. The Rangers never moved from not willing to include Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, Carl Hagelin or Michael Del Zotto. Nash never expanded his list, but it was possible that he might have added the Hurricanes and Capitals later this week. It’s unlikely the Rangers would have been willing to increase their offer even if other teams were added. All the pieces the Blue Jackets received were available at the trade deadline and the at the draft. Nashville ownership is expected to meet again today to determine what to do with Shea Weber. Many around the league don’t think they’ll match the offer and may use the draft picks as trade bait for roster players.
- Tom Reed via twitter: Reed doesn’t think the Blue Jackets got fleeced in the trade as much as some are saying. They didn’t win the trade, but it was never going to happen with Nash’s no-trade clause. Howson had limited trading partner which makes it tough.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings GM Ken Holland had several conversations regarding Nash, but the chances were always slim he’d be moved there. To get the Blue Jackets to trade Nash within the division, they would have had to make a much better offer. Holland wouldn’t mention names, but it would likely have to start with Johan Franzen or Valtteri Filppula and include either Brendan Smith or Gustav Nyquist, one more player and a 1st round pick.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Predators have not talked to Shea Weber since he signed the offer sheet, which leads one to think they won’t match the offer. Though, if they weren’t going to match, shouldn’t they be having daily conversations with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren about making a deal instead of taking the 4 1st round picks. Holmgren and Poile have only talked once. The Flyers won’t confirm or deny that a trade wasn’t discussed when they talked. The deadline is Wednesday night at 11:30 pm. Does the Rangers acquisition of Nash yesterday trigger Holmgren to offer a trade package that was better than before?
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: One of Weber’s agents, Kevin Ebb:
“We have no clue what’s going to happen,” Kevin Epp, one of Weber’s agents, said Monday night. “We’re all in a state of limbo.”
Nashville’s ownership group has 10 people, so Epp thinks that may be slowing the process.
“There’s a lot of owners who have to get together to make the decision,” he said. “It’s not like the Flyers with one owner.”
- Dustin Leed via twitter: Dreger said on TSN radio that the Flyers offered Matt Read, Andrej Meszaros, a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick for Weber before the offer sheet.
