If the Columbus Blue Jackets are to trade Rick Nash at the 2012 NHL Trade Deadline, it makes sense that they'd attempt to fill their biggest need in the process. They do not have a goaltender and they could really use one. Hey, there are teams in the NHL that have young, capable backup goaltenders that Columbus would love.
NHL Trade Rumors: Cory Schneider, Jonathan Bernier, Other Young Goalies Likely Staying Put At Deadline
Cory Schneider in Vancouver and Jonathan Bernier in Los Angeles top the list, but Anders Lindback in Nashville and Tuukka Rask in Boston are also some of the young goaltenders who have a lot of promise and could flourish if given a starting job in Columbus. According to the Columbus Dispatch, however, it doesn't look as though any of those players could move at the deadline -- to the Blue Jackets or any other team.
Few clubs have two goaltenders who could be considered NHL starters - Boston, Nashville, Vancouver and, maybe, Los Angeles. If those teams are even willing to listen to offers, the asking price could be astronomical.
“It’s a tough market right now,” one NHL source told The Dispatch. “If you want one of those guys, you have to pay the ransom.”
For these teams, it makes sense that they'd be uncomfortable with a trade of a highly-touted goaltender at the deadline. In Boston's case, it seems silly entertaining the notion that Rask could be available considering Tim Thomas' age and the fact that Rask could certainly be the goalie of their future. Each of these teams are deep in the playoff mix as well, and while these are backup goaltenders we're talking about here, having that insurance in case of injury is always a smart proposition heading into the postseason.
It seems as though a Rick Nash trade in the summer makes more sense than it does right now at the deadline, simply because the market will open up so much more and Scott Howson might be able to get that goaltender he so desperately needs. That doesn't mean the Rangers or some other team won't blow him away with an offer he can't refuse before Monday at 3 p.m., however.
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