Big Skates to Fill

            Following what was arguably the Blue Jackets’ boldest trade its eleven-year history, many fans remain unhappy with the return for their former star. The general consensus being that Rick Nash was worth more than a pair of forwards, a young defenseman, and a draft pick. And so while Nash does his inaugural meet-and-greets in New York City, the crestfallen fan base in Columbus has not yet started its transition. And it may take awhile.      

            Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, and Tim Erixson have some huge skates to fill, as Nash, perhaps as much as any player, obtained the much sought-after “intangibles” that hide within the stat sheet.

            Nash interacted with the community off the ice as much as he did on it. Through hard work and loyalty, the power-forward became the face of a franchise struggling to earn respect.  He was often the team’s lone representative at prestigious league functions such as the famed All-Star Game and the postseason NHL Awards ceremony.

Jamie Sabau - Getty Images

            The Ontario-native occasionally received recognition for his contributions away from the rink but his most unique attribute was hardly detectable to the casual fan. The soft-spoken captain served as a steady and reassuring voice for the playoff-starved fans. Though it may not have been apparent, his stoic expression and was more a symbol of perseverance than apathy.

            The five-time All-Star played in 674 regular season games with the Blue Jackets recording a team-leading 547 points. In 2009, Columbus notched its first and only playoff birth, however the jubilation was short-lived as Detroit swept the series. Nash could have used his team’s lack of success an excuse to leave the city, but instead of playing through the remainder of his contract then testing the market, the winger signed an eight-year contract extension with the team.

            Despite being considered one of the best power forwards in the game, Nash chose to stick with the team that drafted him seven years earlier, fully aware of the success he could have with a more talented squad. In 54 games with Team Canada the power forward has registered 53 points. Nash has 12 points in five All-Star games. And during the lockout year, Nash played alongside San Jose standout Joe Thornton recording 46 points in 44 games.

            He was the epitome of dedication and up until the moment the trade call was made the winger was acting with the Blue Jackets in mind. Nash offered to be a piece of the puzzle when management announced its plans to rebuild and, after months of trying, Scott Howson finally fulfilled his player’s trade request.

            Nash’s records may be broken, though his predecessors will not be able to duplicate the magnitude of his influence on the franchise. His ability to grab two of the NHL’s most esteemed prizes in the Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophy and the NHL Foundation Player Award brought much-needed attention to a previously unknown expansion team, and for that, fans will be forever grateful.

            It is for is for these reasons that Howson would never have found a trade to satisfy Columbus’ supporters. Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky may match Nash’s goal total next season, but they will not be able to replace him. Statistics only say so much about a player.         

           

           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Chapter Closed: Nash Traded

            In the past few weeks, finding a Rick Nash jersey on a clearance rack was all too common. It was an ominous sign for a fan base centered upon its franchise player. Then, after months of waiting, the inevitable became reality as Blue Jackets faithful were assured that #61 had played his final game in union blue.  

News of the long-awaited trade broke on Monday afternoon as TSN’s Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie revealed details of the swap. The Blue Jackets acquired forwards Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky, defenseman Tim Erixson, and a first-round draft pick from the New York Rangers in exchange for Nash, minor-leaguer Steve Delisle, and a conditional third-round draft pick.

It was a deal that presumably hinged on Scott Howson’s reluctance to devalue his franchise player. Nash publicly asked for a trade at February’s trade deadline but was not moved because the team felt it was not offered the right pieces in return.

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America

          

However, when free agency began and big-name forwards such as Bobby Ryan and Shane Doan announced their intentions to test the market, teams seeking to boost their scoring without breaking the bank were given more room to negotiate. No longer were they forced to pursue Nash and adhere to Howson’s wish list.

Juggling Nash’s trade request and maintaining his own steep asking price ultimately proved to be too difficult for Howson as he blinked in a stare-off with Rangers GM Glen Sather. However, while Columbus did not land key assets such as Ryan McDonagh and Chris Kreider, it did add some notable talent to the front lines.           

Anisimov and Dubinksy will probably be among the Blue Jackets’ top-six forwards. Last season, Anisimov registered 36 points in 79 games while Dubinsky logged 34 points in 77 games. Both players will more than likely increase their offensive production with Columbus, as they will see more ice time than they did in Madison Square Garden. 

Defensive prospect Tim Erixson may have a more difficult time breaking into the lineup. He spent last season in the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League where he notched 33 points in 52 games. Erixson is considered a highly touted prospect, though his history of attitude problems may tempt Howson to flip the 21-year old to another squad with hopes of landing another forward.

How the Erixson acquisition pans out could make or break the deal. Dubinksy and Anisimov are two pieces to the puzzle, but Rick Nash leaves an enormous void when looking at the big picture.

           

Foligno, Aucoin Join Jackets

            Columbus made pair of interesting moves on the first day of free agency. First, the Blue Jackets tapped into their surplus of defenseman to add a skilled forward. Then, later in the day, GM Scott Howson made an acquisition that 29 other teams would have never made to restore Columbus’ lack of confidence in his managerial capabilities.

Mark Methot for Nick Foligno (Ottawa)

           

            Although this wasn’t the exact trade the Senators wanted, Howson reported it did not take long to negotiate, which isn’t surprising considering the Blue Jackets unloaded a defensive reliability in exchange for a forward entering the peak of his career.  

            Columbus’ depth on the blue line made the move possible as James Wisniewski and Jack Johnson are expected to play on the team’s top pairing, followed by the Russian tandem of Nikita Nikitin and Fedor Tyutin.

            Sweetening the deal was the fact that Foligno is an asset the Blue Jackets desperately need. The gritty left-winger comes off a career-best season, registering 47 points in addition to a goal and three assists during the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

            Foligno also fits into Columbus’ physical style of play. The 24-year-old recorded 124 penalty minutes and 196 hits with the Senators in the 2011-2012 season. He has not missed a game in two seasons.

            Howson was unclear as to where Foligno would play next season though his versatility may help him become a top-six forward on a team desperate for goals.

           

Adrian Aucoin

            Shortly after Columbus traded away Methot, Howson dipped into the free agency pool to cover any holes he may have created on the blue line. However, he may have dipped too far, inking the soon to be 39-year-old Aucoin to a one-year $2 million dollar contract.

            The acquisition is extremely similar to that of the ever-regrettable Adam Foote deal, except Aucoin is not nearly as revered as Foote was when he joined the Blue Jackets.

            In 16 NHL seasons Aucoin has accumulated 777 points, however his numbers were significantly lower last season as the veteran defenseman recorded only 9 points in 64 games.

            Howson slapped down the experience card while explaining the reason behind the addition. However, Howson did not address the fact that current Blue Jacket blue liners such as Johnson, Wisniewski, and Tyutin also have tenure and could mentor the young players just as easily as Aucoin could.

            Overall, it’s an ill-advised move for a team trying to usher in a new era of defenseman. John Moore and Ryan Murray, assuming he makes the team, will have to battle more for ice time because Columbus added a blue-liner in the twilight of his career.