Is it entirely likely that the San Jose Sharks end up with Rick Nash on their roster next season? Nobody really knows, but what is known is that Nash would be a huge help for the Sharks. What is known is the fact that San Jose is intensely interested in acquiring his services. What is known is the fact that Nash has San Jose on his list of teams he'd be willing to be traded to.
We also know that the trade market might favor San Jose in the current circumstances. San Jose signed Adam Burish and a bunch of depth guys, but other than that, haven't made any moves. In fact, much of the NHL is on standby while top free agents Ryan Suter and Zach Parise are being pursued. The trade market is expected to heat up as the talent pool dries after the top two in free agency.
Fortunately for the Sharks, there are a couple factors that could help them. As already noted, San Jose is on Nash's list of teams he'd be willing to be traded to. Secondly, the fact that Parise is still available could spell good things for the Sharks. If one of the teams that is interested in Nash goes out and makes something happen with Parise, that's one less team to worry about when it comes to losing out on Nash.
And the options aren't many in number. There's Philadelphia and the Rangers, and maybe one or two other teams. It's unclear which other teams Nash would be interested in, but it appears he's not interested in, say, Carolina or Ottawa, who are trying to acquire his services. San Jose, right now, is sticking to their guns and it could pay off for them.
The conventional theory is that the Sharks are adamant that a deal cannot start or end with Logan Couture. He's off the table, and that is what has given the Columbus Blue Jackets pause when it comes to a trade. That's not going to change in the future - the Sharks are going to keep Couture off the table no matter what and instead work with guys like Joe Pavelski and Ryane Clowe.
Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch has already noted that the Sharks presently have an offer on the table. It's anyone's guess as to whether or not that offer will be sweetened at all, but Portzline suggests that it can. Maybe the market doesn't "favor" the Sharks as the headline suggests, but there's certainly a bigger chance of it than one might think. Perhaps Sharks fans are just being really quiet in hopes that they're surprised with a trade.
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