Rick Nash potentially available

[bustaheims]

Yes but whats to say that his short list will grow in the off season.

If it doesn't and Columbus still doesn't receive an offer they like, then they just won't trade him. He hasn't demanded a trade, he's just told the team he won't stand in the way if they can negotiate an acceptable deal with the teams on the list he provided. If no one meets their price, he'll stay with the Blue Jackets until either someone does or his contract expires.

 

[moon111]

Unless it's some hometown discount, but honestly he should know to stay away from Toronto media.  Are we that crazy to think he wants to be the #2 right-wing in Toronto when he could be on a line with the Sedins or something?

 

[Jalili]

I've got a friend from Detroit, and he tells me the rumour there is that Columbus is asking for Filppula, Smith, and a first rounder.  Does that seem as laughable to anyone else as it does to me?

A young top 6 forward, a top prospect and a late first. Not laughable but maybe not as much as one would anticipate.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

James Mirtle recently posted an article about whether or not the Leafs really need Rick Nash: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/is-rick-nash-really-what-the-leafs-need/article2340910/

Basically, he argues that the Leafs would be better off spending the money/assets that it would take to get Nash on defence and goaltending. While that sort of thinking isn't exactly wrong, I really don't think he gives Nash enough credit when he calls him a "goal scorer with some defensive deficiencies".

I think that Nash has shown in his international experiences with Team Canada and his time under Ken Hitchcock in Columbus that he can certainly play a defensive game. During his almost 4 years under Hitchcock he was actually one of the teams top penalty killers. When Arniel was brought in he cut his penalty killing time to essentially nothing because Arniel doesn't want his forwards playing over 20 minutes a game. I've never for the life of me understood that thinking, and given Columbus' mediocre PK under Arniel I don't understand why Nash hasn't been given more of a chance there.

 

[Kessel_81]

Would anyone do Kessel + for Nash.

CBJ gets slightly cheaper but younger allstar.  TML get a 1st line winger with more size albeit older and more expensive but with a longer contract.

Phil is better, cheaper, and younger with still more upside. CBJ would win it hands down.

couldnt agree more

 

[iwas11in67]

Yes but whats to say that his short list will grow in the off season.

If it doesn't and Columbus still doesn't receive an offer they like, then they just won't trade him. He hasn't demanded a trade, he's just told the team he won't stand in the way if they can negotiate an acceptable deal with the teams on the list he provided. If no one meets their price, he'll stay with the Blue Jackets until either someone does or his contract expires.

Of course. I was just stating that we aren't bidding against the whole league.

 

[bustaheims]

Of course. I was just stating that we aren't bidding against the whole league.

Sure, but, honestly, in this case, that doesn't make a whole lot of difference. A motivated Columbus might even take less with bidding from 29 teams than an unmotivated one with limited potential trade partners.

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

can I just say

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Highlander]

do not trade Kessel, Grabbo or Lupel for anything....

 

[Mack674]

do not trade Kessel, Grabbo or Lupel for anything....

I wouldnt be concerned about that. Schenn, Kadri, Aulie, Gunnar, MacArthur, Kulemin, Armstrong on the other hand I would not be shocked to see 2 or 3 of them go.

 

[armche123]

gotta love thehockeyhouse.net!

 

[iwas11in67]

Of course. I was just stating that we aren't bidding against the whole league.

Sure, but, honestly, in this case, that doesn't make a whole lot of difference. A motivated Columbus might even take less with bidding from 29 teams than an unmotivated one with limited potential trade partners.

They started it so there must be some motivation. Maybe they are losing money, something got them even remotely considering making the move.

 

[bustaheims]

They started it so there must be some motivation. Maybe they are losing money, something got them even remotely considering making the move.

Well, they're a bad team without a lot of wiggle room in terms of cap space. It's in their best interests to explore every possibility in terms of improving their team, and that includes considering the possibility of moving Rick Nash, but, really, based on the way things have been presented, it sounds like that's all their really doing - considering the possibility and hoping someone presents them with an offer they can't refuse.

 

[Corn Flake]

James Mirtle recently posted an article about whether or not the Leafs really need Rick Nash: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/is-rick-nash-really-what-the-leafs-need/article2340910/

Basically, he argues that the Leafs would be better off spending the money/assets that it would take to get Nash on defence and goaltending. While that sort of thinking isn't exactly wrong, I really don't think he gives Nash enough credit when he calls him a "goal scorer with some defensive deficiencies".

I think that Nash has shown in his international experiences with Team Canada and his time under Ken Hitchcock in Columbus that he can certainly play a defensive game. During his almost 4 years under Hitchcock he was actually one of the teams top penalty killers. When Arniel was brought in he cut his penalty killing time to essentially nothing because Arniel doesn't want his forwards playing over 20 minutes a game. I've never for the life of me understood that thinking, and given Columbus' mediocre PK under Arniel I don't understand why Nash hasn't been given more of a chance there.

I couldn't agree more with you.  I thought Mirtle's assessment was pretty blah, both on Nash and the Leafs team needs.  Spending money on defense is the answer? They've been spending more on defense than most teams since the lockout and its never helped.  Suter would be wonderful but they also need to invest in top end talent up front.

The better your forwards are the more time is spend in the opponent's zone.  Add a guy like Rick Nash and the Leafs will get much stronger controlling the puck along the boards, down low and in front of the net.. more of that will mean less of that going on in their zone. 

Its nowhere near as black and white as he puts it.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Its nowhere near as black and white as he puts it.

On that note he pointed out that the Leafs are 3rd in the East in goals scored and used that fact to justify his thought that the Leafs don't need more offense. Of course though he doesn't mention that the majority of that has come from two players, sometimes three when Grabs has been on. This team still needs to upgrade their top-6 forwards. And having another top-6 guy who can take care of his own end while still scoring would be a huge boost.

I've said in the past how I want to save our best assets for a big top-line centre, but I'm starting to doubt that's going to become available. So I'd have no problem giving up a number of the pieces we've accumulated for him. The only player I'd like to keep a hold of is Gardiner, which may be tough in this trade.

 

[Tigger]

Yeah, I'm still having a tough time wrapping my head around trading Gardiner for him, I just don't think I'd do that.

Also, looks like at least one 'pundit' suggested Kessel for Nash, the one OTOS who's labrum tore his brain...

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

James Mirtle recently posted an article about whether or not the Leafs really need Rick Nash: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/is-rick-nash-really-what-the-leafs-need/article2340910/

Basically, he argues that the Leafs would be better off spending the money/assets that it would take to get Nash on defence and goaltending. While that sort of thinking isn't exactly wrong, I really don't think he gives Nash enough credit when he calls him a "goal scorer with some defensive deficiencies".

I think that Nash has shown in his international experiences with Team Canada and his time under Ken Hitchcock in Columbus that he can certainly play a defensive game. During his almost 4 years under Hitchcock he was actually one of the teams top penalty killers. When Arniel was brought in he cut his penalty killing time to essentially nothing because Arniel doesn't want his forwards playing over 20 minutes a game. I've never for the life of me understood that thinking, and given Columbus' mediocre PK under Arniel I don't understand why Nash hasn't been given more of a chance there.

I couldn't agree more with you.  I thought Mirtle's assessment was pretty blah, both on Nash and the Leafs team needs.  Spending money on defense is the answer? They've been spending more on defense than most teams since the lockout and its never helped.  Suter would be wonderful but they also need to invest in top end talent up front.

 

[bustaheims]

I found the article yesterday, and it really highlights one of the reasons I'd be hesitant to trade for Nash right now:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/14723/rumblings-despite-mutual-interest-trading-rick-nash-to-red-wings-not-likely-to-happen

Temporary salary cap
In what has been a vastly under-the-radar story, a buzz item among NHL GMs these days is how they?re going to approach this summer with what will be a higher but temporary salary cap number.

Confused?

The collective bargaining agreement doesn?t expire until Sept. 15 at midnight ET.

But NHL teams have to conduct business under this current CBA until then. As per the current system, the salary cap is once again expected to rise as of June 30 from the current $64.3 million upper limit to as high as $68 million to $69 million, according to guesstimates from some team executives.

That new cap number will exist only from June 30 to whenever a new CBA comes into effect.

The obvious issue is that most teams believe the cap will go down in the new CBA as owners try to scale back the players? percentage of revenues (the players will have a mighty say in that, however).

Unless there's a rollback with the new CBA or the ability to renegotiate contracts is reinstated (even if just for that summer), the $7.8M cap hit that Nash comes with could become a pretty serious anchor for the team in terms of shoring up other areas of the roster.

 

[Corn Flake]

Its nowhere near as black and white as he puts it.

On that note he pointed out that the Leafs are 3rd in the East in goals scored and used that fact to justify his thought that the Leafs don't need more offense. Of course though he doesn't mention that the majority of that has come from two players, sometimes three when Grabs has been on. This team still needs to upgrade their top-6 forwards. And having another top-6 guy who can take care of his own end while still scoring would be a huge boost.

I've said in the past how I want to save our best assets for a big top-line centre, but I'm starting to doubt that's going to become available. So I'd have no problem giving up a number of the pieces we've accumulated for him. The only player I'd like to keep a hold of is Gardiner, which may be tough in this trade.

Completely agree with you on all fronts.  We have 3 legit top six players and even though I like all 3, I don't see Grabs, Lupul or Kessel as true "go-to" guys on a cup contending team. They are all really very good complimentary guys but not sure any are centrepieces.  In the complete absence of a centre becoming available, Nash fits the bill. 

Gardiner and Colborne would be the two I would protect.  Anyone else is fair game.

 

[L K]

Its nowhere near as black and white as he puts it.

On that note he pointed out that the Leafs are 3rd in the East in goals scored and used that fact to justify his thought that the Leafs don't need more offense. Of course though he doesn't mention that the majority of that has come from two players, sometimes three when Grabs has been on. This team still needs to upgrade their top-6 forwards. And having another top-6 guy who can take care of his own end while still scoring would be a huge boost.

I've said in the past how I want to save our best assets for a big top-line centre, but I'm starting to doubt that's going to become available. So I'd have no problem giving up a number of the pieces we've accumulated for him. The only player I'd like to keep a hold of is Gardiner, which may be tough in this trade.

Completely agree with you on all fronts.  We have 3 legit top six players and even though I like all 3, I don't see Grabs, Lupul or Kessel as true "go-to" guys on a cup contending team. They are all really very good complimentary guys but not sure any are centrepieces.  In the complete absence of a centre becoming available, Nash fits the bill. 

Gardiner and Colborne would be the two I would protect.  Anyone else is fair game.

With all of the talk about Kessel being "the softest player in the league" I honestly wonder how he will do in the playoffs if we don't have someone on his line to help intimidate or at least create some space for him.  The neutral zone is going to be a tar pit in the postseason and Lupul/Kessel will never be able to take advantage of their speed game.

RE the cap drop, is the NHLPA really going to cave on that one with Fehr in place?  The NHL created this cap system when they pretty much dominated the lockout in terms of having the ability to win every PR battle.  Revenues grew every year under their system.  Where is the incentive for the players to cut back their earnings? What could the NHL possibly give them in return?