Who Will Be Moved before the NHL Trade Deadline?

Posted by Dan Cafiero.

All eyes are on the Columbus Blue Jackets leading up to the February 27^th trade deadline

Rick Nash, LW, CBJ- The 1st overall pick in 2002 by the Columbus Blue Jackets may be on his way out before 3pm on February 27th.  Nash is one of the elite goal scorers in the league and is by far the most sought after player at this years deadline. He has scored 40 goals twice in his 8-year career, now in his 9th, and has at least 30 goals in 6 of his first 8 seasons. He currently has just 18 goals, but if he is dealt to a team that can score more goals than Columbus who has just 133 goals on the season (28th overall), he should be able to reach 30. 

Like every year, Rangers GM Glen Sather will be active at this years trade deadline. It has been reported the Rangers have inquired about Rick Nash and the asking price will include Brandon Dubinsky, Michael Del Zotto and Chris Kreider, along with several other players, prospects or draft picks. Whether or not Sather is willing to part ways with those young players remains to be seen. In my opinion, the Rangers have had a tremendous season up to this point and Del Zotto has been a big surprise for them this season. Henrik Lundqvist is arguably the best goaltender in the league and the team has not given up more than 4 goals in a single game all year. Is offense that big of an issue for this Rangers team? Is Rick Nash really worth getting rid of these core players like Del Zotto, Dubinsky, possibly Stepan or top prospect Chris Kreider, currently playing for Boston College? Ranger fans may say this season is their best chance to win the Cup and Nash can help their chances if the right package is sent the other way. On the other hand, a trade can also hurt their chances if Sather sends too many valuable players to Columbus. The Rangers are looking for that missing piece to make a strong playoff run, will it be Rick Nash? The other front-runner to grab Nash is the L.A Kings. To say the Kings have struggled to score goals this season would be an understatement. Despite their 30th ranked offense, they are holding on to the 8th spot in the West with Calgary just one win behind them. Landing a premier goal scorer like Rick Nash can help them make a final push to get into the playoffs. The Blue Jackets may be asking for a goaltender if L.A were the team on the other end, in this case it would be Jonathan Bernier. Dustin Penner has also been reported to be a player that would be sent in the deal. 

Some other notable players that could be dealt by the deadline include, P.A Parenteau, NYI, Luke Schenn, TOR, Ales Hemsky, EDM, Ryan Suter, NAS, and Jeff Carter, CBJ. More information and news about these players and the 2012 NHL deadline will be available, as we get closer to the 27th.