Blue Jackets Blues

The Rick Nash saga continues to unfold in Columbus and I can't for the life of me figure out how it will end well. Let's face it, this is a struggling, almost desperate franchise that needs a glimmer of hope and for their star player to ask for a trade is not helpful. But, here's where it gets interesting. Rick Nash had shown his commitment to the organization by signing a long term contract and earning a no trade clause. He, as far as I know, has never gripped or openly ripped the franchise which would be like shooting fish in a barrel the way they've run it of late, and has been a loyal solider (fitting for a blue jacket). From what has been reported the GM Scott Howson went to him and informed him they were going to be undergoing a rebuild and it was at this point that he asked to get out. He never openly approached them for a trade, or so his agent as lead us to believe. And honestly, I can't blame they guy. He's an elite player and has played a total of four playoff games in his career and would have been waiting a while in the very difficult western conference to get back there. Then Howson goes out as says Rick asked them to be traded, which in fairness it true. But did they not force his hand? Did they honestly expect any guy, a competitor would want to sit and wait around for the inept management to try again to piece together a competitive team? The funny thing is with the acquisitions they made of draft picks and a young player in Jack Johnson and the high price they will get for Nash this will likely set them up for future success, assuming they don't bungle this as well...