The New York Rangers have been quiet since NHL Free Agency began on Sunday. As SB Nation New York hockey writer Jimmy Hascup pointed out earlier today, that was to be expected.
Hascup wrote that the Rangers "most substantial pieces will be brought in via the trade route."
Which brings us to the ongoing trade speculation about Columbus Blue Jackets' star forward Rick Nash.
The field of suitors appears to be narrowing for Nash, and the Rangers are major players on the short list of potential landing spots for the high-scoring forward.
This, however, looks like it might take a while to come to a conclusion. The Blue Jackets are asking a steep bounty for Nash, and according to a quote in The Sporting News it looks like Columbus general manager Scott Howson is perfectly willing to let this pot boil for a while.
"I wish I had the crystal ball. I really don't know," Howson said. "I think in free agency now, that's where teams' attention is. We'll figure out after the chips fall if there's something there that would make sense for us."
According to multiple reports the Rangers are unwilling to deal Ryan McDonagh, Chris Kreider or Derek Stepan for Nash. Columbus apparently wants one, and possibly two, of those players.
Howson and the Blue Jackets appear to be waiting out the free agent market and banking on the idea that someone will be desperate enough to give them what they desire for Nash.
Will that be the Blueshirts? Stay tuned, Rangers fans. And settle in, because this is going to take some time.