With the NHL Draft week now officially underway, the action is expected to really pick up around the National Hockey League.
Rick Nash is a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets but it certainly sounds like that could change by week’s end. And in a podcast posted on the Jackets official website, Columbus play by play guy Jeff Rimer confirms what I’ve been saying on here for a couple weeks- the Sens are one of the team interested in Rick Nash.
Here is the link to the podcast with Jeff Rimer. His comments on the Senators come around the 18 minute mark. Michael Russo, a beat writer with the Minnesota Wild, also includes Ottawa on the list of suitors for Rick Nash.
As we know, the price for Nash is expected to be sky high. In the end, it may be too rich for the Sens blood especially with the New York Rangers seemingly desperate to get a deal done.
The Rangers have the obvious advantage of being on the list of preferred destinations submitted by Nash. There has been no word, one way or the other, on if Nash would even accept a trade to Ottawa but it’s possible Howson may be looking to negotiate with teams outside of the list.
I get the sense that right now the asking price is too rich for the Sens blood. Columbus may have to lower their demands if they want to get a deal done this week but as we saw at the deadline, Howson is more than willing to hold on to Nash if he can't get the right deal.
Nash may not be the only top six forward on the market this weekend either with the names of Jordan Staal, Bobby Ryan, Patrick Marleau, and TJ Oshie all being tossed around.
Meanwhile, Murray and his staff have a few other things to consider this week. A quick overview of the things to watch for…
- As Ian Mendes pointed out on Twitter, Daniel Alfredsson is expected to address the media at some point over the next couple of days. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s ready to give a decision but it will be very interesting to hear what the Captain has to say.
- Negotiations are expected to heat up with RFA defenceman Erik Karlsson in the next couple of days. The two sides are expected to get together mid-week to discuss specifics. It has been said often, but I really don’t expect this negotiation to drag on.
- Mentioned this yesterday, but the Senators are definitely interested in retaining defenceman Matt Carkner and have made an offer to the rugged defenceman.
- Should be an interesting week around here. As always, updates will appear at the top of the post and be sure to follow me on Twitter @SensChirp for all the latest.
