From Nash to Nashville...NHL news

So the big fish has landed in the Big Apple. Rick Nash, one of the most highly sought after players in the league after he asked for a trade last season, has been dealt by the Blue Jackets to the New York Rangers. The question is, that's what they got back? With all due respect the team getting the best player always seems to win the trade but this could be a run away victory for the Rangers. They didn't have to part with any of their prized youngsters like Michale Del Zotto or Karl Haglan instead sending Brandon Dubinsky, Artam Anisimov and Erixon and a first rounder. This is not exactly overwhelming, or even close to, big value. This trade as reported by Darren Dreger was likely on the table since the beginning and GM Scott Howison saw that the other teams weren't willing to deal, that Nash wouldn't expand his list and that the Rangers would cough up one of their young stars so he pulled the trigger. This could be a big blow to the Columbus franchise as without a real star player who will they turn to to lead this organization? This is a franchise that needs to ice a winning team for fans to be interested and I'm not sure that's likely in the very competitive western conference. Nash got his wish and is happy which is more that I can say for most fans in Ohio.

Elsewhere the Shea Weber signing has forced the hand of David Poille and the Nashville Predators. The massive offer sheet he signed with the Flyers is interesting in many ways, not the least of which was pointed out by Paul Bisonette in that the owners are trying to get more money from the players then offering these exorbitant contracts. The Weber signing no doubt had much to do with Ryan Suter going to Minnesota and the Predators inability to really do much in the off season to improve. The Flyers need a D man with Chris Pronger's future uncertain and went after him. Weber signing shows he clearly wants out of Nashville even if they match and he says otherwise, but the question is can they afford to. Can they afford not to?

Wild in Minnesota

So the fourth of July fireworks started early in the hockey state as the Minnesota Wild signed both of the most coveted free agents off the off season in Zack Parise and Ryan Suter. At least the Devils have Martin Brodeur locked up for the next two years...This definitely a big win for the franchise and a message to the rest of the league that they are serious about contending for the next many years. While I don't think this makes them the best in the west or even their division it's hard to argue that they are not much, much better today. Dany Heatley how has had some off years, Miko Koivu who was injured much of the last season and others like Devin Setoguchi and Nicklas Backstrom have talent so to add pieces like this to the mix can only help. Suter and Parise each signed for 13 years and $98 million dollars so safe to say they should be there a while. The fact that they are buddies gives this a Miami Heat feel only, without anyone outside Minnesota really caring, in the US anyway. Detroit was apparently a front runner as well and after the retirement of Nick Lidstrom were certainly looking to add an impact defenceman. Parise leaves a team that just had a run to the cup to be closer to home so I admire that he's considering his life in a larger context with this decision but it will be tough to have success quickly in the ultra competitive western conference. If the new CBA gets signed of course. The Wild have not had a taste of the playoffs in several seasons so the mandate is obviously to end that drought and these moves may very well do that. If nothing else it will give their fan base hope...for now. 

Star past their Shine?

So the Dallas Stars jumped into the free agency pool and added a whole lot of veteran experience, and I mean a whole lot. Jaromir Jarg and Ray Whitney are both over forty and while they are still playing a a decent level they are well past their prime. Not only is their age a significant factor, but they both made 4.5 mill each. Seriously. That's not exactly pocket change especially in a cap system like the NHL. While this will help add some much needed leadership in the room, it is a gamble nonetheless. As much as GM Joe Nieuwendyk can look back and say they were productive last year, what's to say that trend will continue or that they will be surrounded with the talent they were previously. Jagr was given a lot of quality ice time on a very good Philadelphia team which no doubt helped his statistics. Whitney is a great set up man but whose to say he can keep up the pace. I like both these players and think Dallas was wise to sign them, but they certainly, in my mind over paid.