Thread: Rick Nash traded to Rangers

Originally Posted by aaron

The main thing is that it's really time for Clb to move on. They were as hung up as the Orlando Magic trying to deal with Howard, a star player with a difficult contract. (albeit different sides of the contract coin)
At some point it's worth it to just get what you can and move on.

But Clb really does need to restructure. The owner should look at Nashville and cringe at how far behind he is. He really needs to find a Dean Lombardi, and quick. Certainly before the trade deadline.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ron Hextall is the GM in Columbus this time next year.

Originally Posted by Kubrick

I wouldn't be surprised if Ron Hextall is the GM in Columbus this time next year.

At this point, I think half the members of this board are more qualified than Howson.

I like what Columbus is doing with their defense. Aucoin, Wiz, Johnson, Nikitin, Murray, Erixon. They have great skaters and mobility on defense and a couple of them play with a bit of a nasty streak. Aucoin is there as the veteran mentor this year to help the kids learn as a solid d-man with a hard shot and PP guy and will get replaced as the forward positions get filled in over the next couple years.

They have 3 first round picks next year in what is supposed to be a stronger draft year and they have some quality 2nd & 3rd line players. They should be primed to add offense via free agency/trade/draft in the next couple years.

Originally Posted by jom

It is but we don't know anything about what he was offered. Period. Rumors are just fodder for the internet.

I just can't judge Howsen (or any GM) that is put in that place by a star player. The trading team will lose pretty much every time.

Howsen has been a poor GM but I base that on his record (which, BTW, should include some nods toward McClean before him). So having 2 or 3 1st rounders next year isn't going to help much if the same management is running the show. Isn't Patrick on their payroll now? Davidson? I'd make them GM?Pres and move on.

jom

Do you think the fact that said star player has only played in 4 Playoff games in his entire career had anything to do with him asking for a trade? Up until last season, Rick Nash had done nothing but praise the city of Columbus, including the fanbase and he frequently stated that he loved being a Blue Jacket.

Then, last season, Nash said the following "I was informed by management that there was a rebuild, a reshape, in the team and I personally felt I could be a huge part of that towards bringing assets in," he said. "In my view, that was the best thing for the team, the organization, and personally for my career."
Rick Nash wonders if Columbus Blue Jackets fans will turn against him after trade request - ESPN

The guy is tired of losing, period.

It was Howson's ineffectiveness as a GM that caused Rick Nash to ask for a trade. So, while you can't judge Howson as a GM, his record speaks for itself:

Regular Season -
410 GP
170 W
225 L
57 OTL

Playoffs
0 W
4 L

Originally Posted by Kubrick

I wouldn't be surprised if Ron Hextall is the GM in Columbus this time next year.

Possibly. But Clb needs someone to redirect the whole organization. The first thing Lombardi did was get the scouting and development system up to date. Clb has been so bad so long because they can't build from within. Until they get that straightened out, they will never be good. The value in today's nhl is in those entry level and rfa contracts. you only get those by drafting and developing them. You can never trade your way into them.
So if Clb can get those things in order, then they can make something of those #1 picks. Otherwise, they will be rebuilding in 5 years again.

Originally Posted by Birdman

At this point, I think half the members of this board are more qualified than Howson.

To run the Nhl side of things, maybe.

To establish and build an organization for drafting and developing players, doubt anyone here could do that.
But then, Howson can't either.

Originally Posted by aaron

Possibly. But Clb needs someone to redirect the whole organization. The first thing Lombardi did was get the scouting and development system up to date. Clb has been so bad so long because they can't build from within. Until they get that straightened out, they will never be good. The value in today's nhl is in those entry level and rfa contracts. you only get those by drafting and developing them. You can never trade your way into them.
So if Clb can get those things in order, then they can make something of those #1 picks. Otherwise, they will be rebuilding in 5 years again.

I'd venture to guess that Ron Hextall has a pretty good grasp of precisely what it takes to build an organization from the ground up. Let's not forget what the Kings looked like when Dean and Ron took over in the spring of 2006.

Originally Posted by Kubrick

I'd venture to guess that Ron Hextall has a pretty good grasp of precisely what it takes to build an organization from the ground up. Let's not forget what the Kings looked like when Dean and Ron took over in the spring of 2006.

I, myself, would LOVE to forget what the Kings were like back then (or many years before that). It makes me shudder. Then I think about June 11, 2012, and all the bad memories go away.

Originally Posted by Kubrick

I'd venture to guess that Ron Hextall has a pretty good grasp of precisely what it takes to build an organization from the ground up. Let's not forget what the Kings looked like when Dean and Ron took over in the spring of 2006.

I didn't remember how long Hextall has been here.
The comparison between Columbus now and the Kings then is good. Don't know that they have a Kopitar or Brown in their pipeline though.