- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Rick Nash trade talks have gone cold in recent days, and in 6 months, GM Scott Howson hasn’t come close on a deal.
“There’s no timetable by which we have to make moves,” Howson said this week. “There are no deadlines. We’re going to continue to work at this. A trade with Rick will happen when we get the right value — when and if we get the right value.”
A Nash deal may not be completed by the start of training camp, though it could be delayed due to the CBA situation. Nash could also chose to hold-out of camp.
- NHL.com: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson told TSN that he would want established forwards in any Rick Nash trade.
“If we do complete a trade, we’re trading out a 30- to 40-goal scorer,” Howson told TSN’s Gino Reda. “Defense is probably the strongest part of our team as we look at it today, so we’re looking to get some NHL forwards back first and foremost.”
“We don’t have a deadline,” the GM said. “Rick’s under contract and we’ll continue to work at this, we’ll continue to keep Rick in the loop … and we’ll just hope that we get a resolution to this.”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Maybe Shane Doan or Alexander Semin signings, or a Bobby Ryan trade can nudge a Nash trade along. Maybe teams will wait until the new CBA is in place to see whether they can fit a $7.8 million salary cap hit for the next 6 years. If the salary cap it lowered by say $10 million, teams like the Bruins, Flyers, Penguins and Sharks may not be able to take on that contract. The Rangers currently have $15.1 million and the Red Wings have $16.8 million.
- The Fourth Period: TFP period has learned that the Blues have been looking for a 2nd line scorer during free agency last week. They made a play for center Olli Jokinen before he signed with the Jets. With David Backes and Patrik Berglund at center, they could be aiming for a right winger. GM Doug Armstrong is exploring the trade market for a 2nd liner and a rugged defenseman.
- The Fourth Period: The Ducks have had trade talks with several teams about Bobby Ryan, but nothing appears imminent. Teams include the Flyers, Hurricanes and Rangers. The Maple Leafs, Penguins, Canadiens, Bruins, Panthers and Sharks have also inquired. The Ducks would like a center in a deal, but is not a prerequisite. They are looking to increase their secondary scoring.