The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau makes a case for why the Columbus Blue Jackets owe it to him to get him out of town: “It’s unfair to ask Nash to be part of another rebuild that could take upwards of four or five years and that may be as ineffectual as the ones he’s already endured.”

Beyond that, however, the Jackets could get a refreshingly fresh start by acquiring a top pick in the draft with a Nash deal. Proteau writes, “A deal for Nash would help the franchise stock up on prospects and/or draft picks; and what looks to be a very high lottery pick this season would signal the start of a new era in Columbus.”

But if that’s what the Jackets want, they may want to wait until later in the season to ensure that the picks they are trading for will end up high in the lottery. It’s considered a fairly strong draft and they should be able to bring in some immediate help with the picks, if they play their cards right. That said, there’s been no indication that Nash wants out or that management wants to deal him.


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