By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Columbus, OH

At least 10 teams have expressed interest in luring captain Rick Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

NHL sources said that seven teams have engaged in significant trade conversations with Blue Jackets general manager.

About half of those have also inquired about what the Jackets want in return for Nash.

The rebuilding Blue Jackets made Nash available during the trade deadline in February but there was no taker. Teams have renewed interest in the power forward now that the postseason is over.

The Blue Jackets began their rebuilding in February by trading Jeff Carter to Los Angeles for defenseman Jack Johnson and a future first-round pick. Columbus also traded Antoine Vermette to Phoenix and Sammy Pahlsson to Vancouver.

The New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs may be among those in the hunt for Nash while the Carolina Hurricanes recently joined the race.

Nash has a no-movement clause in his contract so he can determine his next destination. During the season, Nash had the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Rangers, Sharks, Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks on his approved list.

A first overall pick by the Blue Jackets in 2002 Draft, Nash scored 17 goals in his rookie season and was nominated as the NHL's best rookie but lost to defenseman Barret Jackman of the St. Louis Blues.

In his second year, Nash scored a career-high 41 goals that tied Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk for the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in the league.

In his nine years with the Blue Jackets, Nash scored 289 goals and 258 assists for 547 points.

 

Twitter: @ihavenetnews

 

 

Rangers, Sharks Among Teams Interested in Jackets' Rick Nash