The city of Toronto is abuzz with the latest trade rumor involving the Maple Leafs, but this one isn’t just about a utility forward or some kind of depth defenseman.
Nope, apparently, Brian Burke is pulling out the big guns in a possible trade that could bring Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Rick Nash to the Leafs in exchange for Mikhail Grabovski, Luke Schenn, Nazem Kadri and Mike Komisarek. Also coming to Toronto in the alleged deal with Nash, 27, would be forward Kristian Huselius, 33.
Playing for the Jackets, a team that is dead last in the league and 23 points out of a playoff spot, it’s easy to overlook how talented of a player Nash really is. He has two seasons with at least 40 goals under his belt and four more years with at least 30. And while he has never won anything in his nine seasons with the Jackets, he was apart of Team Canada’s gold medal-winning team in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
And while the Leafs, who haven’t made the playoffs in six years, would love the power forward’s services, there are a few reasons why this rumor won’t amount to anything more. Nash has a no-trade clause, so he’ll have to wave it before the Leafs try to entice Columbus with a package of players. Also,the Blue Jackets captain won’t come cheap. He’s signed through the end of the 2018 season ($62.4 million) and his cap hit per season is $7.8 million. You also have to account for the fact that he’s the face of a franchise that is hosting next year’s All-Star game.
The addition of Nash would undoubtedly be the final move to make Toronto a playoff team, but Leafs fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.
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