On February 27th, Sather sent another offer for Nash as the deadline loomed. I was not only expecting this, but hoping for it. I wanted Nash, but only at a reasonable price, and playing hardball at the deadline seemed like a perfect way to lower Columbus' demands. The Blue Jackets lost a lot of leverage when Nash's agent publicly announced that he wanted a deal done, thus removing the "we don't actually have to trade him" card from the hand of Columbus GM Scott Howson. The offer was a serious one; as in, it was a serious overpay. Not that I don't like Nash, but it was exactly the kind of offer I was afraid of.
Inexplicably, Howson declined the offer of Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, J.T. Miller, Christian Thomas and a first round draft pick. I say "inexplicably" because this is exactly what Howson stated that he wanted in return for Nash, and I don't think he will ever find a better offer.
Nash will almost assuredly be traded this offseason, and almost assuredly for a lower return than the one Howson declined. Nash wants out. Howson personally informed the media that it was Nash who wanted to leave Columbus, essentially throwing him under the bus. Nash also makes a lot of money for a lot of years, and on top of that, is willing to waive his no-trade clause for only a handful of teams. The odds that these teams will be willing to pay top-dollar to a GM with absolutely zero leverage are nonexistent.
Howson turned down likely the biggest haul he could possibly manage for Nash, a move all the more bizarre after he traded Jeff Carter for a very unimpressive return. The Jackets are in for a long, painful rebuild, and because of these moves, Howson may not be around to orchestrate it. I doubt if it will even be him that negotiates Nash's trade this offseason.
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