Rick Nash sporting the New York Rangers' red, white and blue seems very unlikely at this point, according to multiple reports from New York-area writers to the nationals ones.
The particulars of a package has not exactly been defined, but regardless, Rangers general manager Glen Sather has deemed it too expensive. From reports throughout the week, it appears that his counterpart, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson, has required Michael Del Zotto or Ryan McDonagh, Brandon Dubinsky, top prospect Chris Kreider and a first-round pick be in the deal.
Sather and the front office rightfully has decided that blowing up the roster is not worth it, at least at this juncture -- with about 18 hours until the 3 p.m. trading deadline. It's unlikely that Dubinsky's inclusion (and his $4.2 million cap hit for the next several years) or a first-rounder is the breaking point. There is no point in dealing your 1B defenseman, McDonagh, 22, or one whose defensive game has improved significantly and boasts loads of offensive ability, Del Zotto, 21, (33 points). For once, it also seems Sather wants to keep his own top prospects and will not throw away the future to get the superstar winger, who is has a $7.8 million cap hit over the next seven seasons.
Nash is a difference-maker, but it would be short-sighted on the organization's part to ruin the core and mortgage the promising future of the Eastern Conference's best team.
Of course, this could all be part of the tactics to get Howson to lower his asking price, especially with Nash's agent saying Saturday he'd like a deal to be done before the trade deadline. I wouldn't expect this to be the end of the Nash-to-Rangers talk.