WHY RICK NASH DIDN'T GET TRADED

In the weeks before the NHL trade deadline, the big name with rumors swirling around him was Rick Nash.  A player that is an elite power foward but has severly underpreformed in Columbus over his 9 years with that franchise.  Finally he's had enough with losing and Nash wants out.  It's completely understandable from Rick Nash's point of view.  And eventually he will be traded. But why didn't Nash get traded today?

The main reason Rick Nash didn't get traded is because of the price to bring him in.  Columbus was asking for 2 legitimate roster players, 1 or 2 high draft picks, 1 or 2 high level NHL ready prospects.  That amount of pieces is extremely difficult for a team to give up, much less a top contender on Nash's list (a part of his limited movement clause he selects 10 teams he would accept a trade to, teams rumored to be included now were the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, among others).  For example if the Rangers made the trade the return Columbus would ask for is Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan McDounough or Derek Stephan, either a 1st and 2nd round selection in the 2012 draft or two 1st round picks in the 2012 and 2013 drafts.  That trade requires a major restructuring of a roster and also major restructuring in the offseason to fit in his $7.8 million over the next 6 years (courtesy of CapGeek.com).  The restructuring it will take to bring in a Rick Nash is similar to what the Philadelphia did to bring in Bryzgalov.

It's no longer a matter "is Rick Nash going to get traded", but "when and where does Rick Nash get traded to."  Just an hour ago, Columbus GM Scott Howson publicly stated that Rick Nash requested a trade, this is incredibly bizarre because no one ever says what happens behind the scenes.  Because of this Rick Nash's time in Columbus is almost certain to end within the next 6 months.  He is going to get traded, I think it's almost certain that he gets traded at the draft where all General Managers meet in one place.  I think going into the draft the favorite to land Rick Nash is the Vancouver Canucks.  I think they'll package Cory Schneider (Columbus is desperate for a legitimate starting netminder) with a few other roster players such as Keith Ballard and David Booth (both making $4 million +) to match Nash's salary.  I think other teams in for Nash include the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers, the San Jose Sharks (based on his friendship with Joe Thorton), the Dallas Stars (a team with the prospects and depth that would suit Columbus's demands), and maybe an outside chance of either the Detroit Red Wings or the Nashville Predators. 

From here on out until he gets traded, the Rick Nash topic will be the top rumor and subject that will be talked about.  He will get traded this offseason, if he doesn't it's going to be a poisonous situation for Rick Nash to stay in Columbus, and I think it will benefit both parties for Nash to get traded.