Rick Nash's Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this afternoon, 4-2, despite the captain scoring shorthanded in the first period, however, the questions directed at Nash following the game were not concerning the loss. Instead, they were about his future in Columbus, or elsewhere, as Monday's trade deadline quickly approaches.
For obvious reasons, Nash did not reveal too much information regarding the situation, but he did share some of his feelings in comments that seem to indicate that even he is very uncertain as to what will go down over the next day. Here's what he had to say courtesy of Blue Jackets beat writer, Aaron Portzline, on Twitter:
#CBJ captain Rick Nash offered a "no comment" when asked if he agreed with agent Joe Resnick that he's hopeful a trade before Tuesday.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 26, 2012
Nash did say: "It’s been a great time living in Columbus. I’m a Blue Jacket today and we’re going to do everything we can to move ... "
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 26, 2012
Nash:... forward as a team. Like I said the other day, these fans deserve a winning team. They’re the ones that have been the most patient."
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 26, 2012
Asked if the possibility of playing his final game as a #CBJ was in the back of his mind, Nash answered quickly: "Not at all."
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 26, 2012
Well, "it's been a great time living in Columbus" certainly suggests that he's prepared to be moved, whether that is in the next 24 hours or over the summer. But as the clock ticks away, you have to wonder if that move will actually be before 3 p.m. tomorrow, especially since he was in the lineup against the Penguins this afternoon. If anything was close to getting done, would the Blue Jackets have actually let him skate in that game?
Now the Blue Jackets are expected to hold a practice tomorrow morning at 11 a.m., so if nothing goes down tonight, and Nash is in attendance at practice, the chances of him being moved before the deadline, I would think, are quite slim. If he isn't at practice, well, then something's up.
Meanwhile, if neither side budges, I'm sure Rangers GM Glen Sather will be exploring other options. There's been a few other names thrown around out there -- offensive and defensive -- but nothing that's definite or close just yet.
Stay tuned, because I got everything covered here on The Rangers Tribune tonight and all day tomorrow.
UPDATE: Here's the latest from ESPN....
#NYR Doesn't appear Rangers are willing to concede to CBJ demands. At this point, NYR considered out of running for Nash
— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) February 26, 2012
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