Nash Jacketed
Forward Rick Nash and the only club he's ever known, the Columbus Blue Jackets agreed to terms on a new long-term contract.
The Jackets signed Nash to an extension that will pay him $62.4 million over the next 8 years. Nash collected 79 points (40 goals, 39 assists) in 78 games last season and helped the Blue Jackets to the post season for the first time in their franchises' young history.
Personally, this is the feel good story of the summer. It's nice to see Nash take the Steve Yzerman route and stay with the club he began with and hopefully finish what he started. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see him in a Rangers jersey, but overall, Nash staying Columbus is good for that community, and if he can help make that club consistently competitive, it will be good for hockey overall.
The Colorado Avalanche dealt winger Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings today for defencemen Kyle Quincey, Tom Preissing, and 5th round pick.
Great pick-up for LA. Smyth scored 26 goals and 33 assists last year on an Avalanche team that fell off the radar last year and is apparently excited about the possibilities of lining up with a young, up and coming roster of Kings players.
The Kings were onced rumored to be interested in Heatley, but were either turned off by GM Brian Murray's asking price, or the selfishness exhibited by the player over the past month. In any case, I think they made an outstanding move. Smyth is hard working player who produces, and will provide some much needed veteran leadership. The Kings are going to be a good looking club next season.
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
I'm with you - L.A.'s got the potential to make some noise next year.
Glad to see Nash stay in Columbus but I'm still not positive who's passing him the puck. Do they have a top line center? Even if they do, doesn't the idea of Saku Koivu feeding him the puck sound kind of like it could work?
Columbus: go get Koivu.
Posted by: Stache | July 6, 2009 08:08 AM
Isn't Koivu like 300 years old now?
If I were the Jackets... I would check to see the availability and playing status of Daniele Briere from the Flyers. Philadelphia is $15 million over the cap after the Pronger pickup, so they will be dumping salary big time. If Briere is past the injuries... I think he would fit nicely with Nash.
Posted by: Cap | July 6, 2009 11:45 AM
Ahhhh - I keep forgetting about Briere (is this because last season he was mostly forgettable?). That would be a very potent combination. I still think him or Koivu would just really be a stop-gag for however long it takes Columbus to draft a damn top line center already, but either could produce some good numbers in the meantime.
I'm pretty sure hockeybuzz hasn't been right about ANYthing this month, but they've got a Heatley to Columbus rumor floating and boy that's kind of a scary combination to think about. With him and Nash on the same line I'm pretty sure that I could play center for the Blue Jackets and they'd still put up points. And I'm horrible.
Posted by: Stache | July 7, 2009 08:18 AM
I was listening to Hockey Central last week, and apparently the GM of the Jackets is remaining patient... and he hinted at clubs being over the cap...remember Columbus and the Blue Jackets have a trade history together too, and Philly moving Briere there makes sense.
Briere was out most of the year with injuries, and the Flyers hardly missed a beat.
Posted by: Cap | July 7, 2009 09:51 PM