Can Rick Nash get sold on the Senators as a trade suitor?

With their NHL Draft weekend trades, the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes may not need Rick Nash anymore. The New York Rangers do, and Nash is willing to go there, but so far they’ve been unable and unwilling to meet GM Scott Howson’s price. The Ottawa Senators have reported interest in the power forward... but Rick Nash might not want them.

The Rick Nash Sweepstakes: Leafs, Rangers, Hurricanes in the mix

Barring a Don Draper-level sales pitch from John Davidson, should he eventually join the Blue Jackets organization, Rick Nash is likely in his last weeks with the franchise.  The NHL Draft next week in Pittsburgh will be the first round of auctioneering; and should there be a need for a second, it’ll be during the Free Agent Frenzy the following weekend.  Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reported on Friday that talks were heating up between Jackets GM Scott Howson and a few of Nash’s suitors:

NHL 2011-2012 Season Preview

The NHL season preview is here! I give you my X-factor and breakout players for each team as well as their additions and departures. Enjoy!

By: Charlie Roumeliotis

Twitter: @CRoumeliotis

12th Largest Payroll Shows Columbus GM Scott Howson is Serious

By: Marc Humker General Manager Scott Howson hinted that he was done adding to the payroll before training camp, but that didn't stop him from signing veteran LD Fedor Tyutin to a 6 year, $27 million contract extension. This signing is another statement to the Columbus fanbase that the ownership and management are "all-in" on this hand.

Blue Jackets close to signing Former UMASS Goalie

By: Marc Humker The Columbus Blue Jackets could be adding depth at goalie with the rumored AHL signing of Paul Dainton. The former University of Massachusetts goalie had signed an amateur tryout contract with the Blue Jackets AHL affiliate the Springfield Falcons. Dainton was the primary goalie for the Minutemen since his freshman year. He holds the school records for games played (123), minutes (7,043), and saves (3,226).