The New York Rangers have been considered the front-runners to acquire star forward Rick Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets before Monday's 3 p.m. ET NHL Trade Deadline. Well, Columbus is apparently going to have to look elsewhere as the Rangers are now considered to be out of the Nash sweepstakes.
#NYR Doesn't appear Rangers are willing to concede to CBJ demands. At this point, NYR considered out of running for Nash
— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) February 26, 2012
SB Nation's Blueshirt Banter had the following reaction to the news:
"I have been one of the biggest supporters on this site of the Rangers making a move for Nash, but I don't mind hearing this. Glen Sather deserves a lot of credit for his post-lockout work, and if he needs to walk away from the table because Scott Howson's trade demands are too much, then so be it.
"I am not willing to completely demolish this team to bring in a big name, and if guys like Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Michael Del Zotto or Ryan McDonagh are musts for the Rangers to acquire Nash, then I'm fine keeping this team the way it is."
-- Keep it here for any news regarding the Rangers, New Jersey Devils or New York Islanders up through the Monday trade deadline.