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10:57 AM ET 03.18 | Rick Nash will not be the only prize being dealt by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets will trade the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft should the lottery goes their way, a bevy of sources say. "They can't pick a Russian so they can't use the pick," an NHL executive insists and he's not alone in his belief. "They'll have to trade it." Never mind having the worst record in hockey, the Jackets are in all kinds of mess. They have to find a deal for Nash, their best player, who doesn't want to be there anymore. And now the pressure is on for them to make two moves, the first one likely being a deal for the first pick, which is expected to be Sarnia's Nail Yakupov. The two best centers on the board are expected to be Alex Galchenyuk and Mikhail Grigorenko, the hockey equivalent of goodbye Columbus. Twice in recent history, the Jackets used an early pick on a Russian forward. Twice they failed. It didn't work out with Nikolai Zherdev or with Nikita Filatov. They can't afford to fail a third time with the franchise so tender.

Todd Richards, Icon SMI

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March 18, 2012 11:27 AM ET

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I've been working on my Argos' impersonantion.

1st pick and Nash for Kessel!

How'd I do?

Canuck eh?

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March 18, 2012 11:41 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 11:27 AM ET 03.18 by Canuck eh?

I've been working on my Argos' impersonantion.1st pick and Nash for Kessel!How'd I do?

Perfect!!

mhwings

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March 18, 2012 12:02 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 11:27 AM ET 03.18 by Canuck eh?

I've been working on my Argos' impersonantion.1st pick and Nash for Kessel!How'd I do?

Too good...you need Argos detox.

bruins6988

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March 18, 2012 12:10 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 11:27 AM ET 03.18 by Canuck eh?

I've been working on my Argos' impersonantion.1st pick and Nash for Kessel!How'd I do?

Gotta agree with Bruins6988, it sounds like you OD'd.

Rex Racer

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March 18, 2012 01:15 PM ET

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What makes them think they will be so much better dealing Nash

shiprock

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March 18, 2012 01:59 PM ET

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Why on earth would anyone care what nationality the first pick in the draft is?? So what they struck out twice on their early round picks, So what they were Russian! Just draft the best player available and put him on Nash's line. See how they play together and go from there, don't trade Nash until you see what these two players could do for the team!

I would rather the Jackets pick Nail then pass on him and trade Nash, to me that sounds like a sure fire way to kill whats left of the franchise. Besides I like the sound of Nash to Nail or vice versa!!!

TribeFan4Ever

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March 18, 2012 03:41 PM ET

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If they can trade the first pick and Nash and get some extra draft picks this year and next, it might not be that bad a situation.

Burgh-Fan

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March 18, 2012 04:12 PM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 01:59 PM ET 03.18 by TribeFan4Ever

Why on earth would anyone care what nationality the first pick in the draft is?? So what they struck out twice on their early round picks, So what they were Russian! Just draft the best player available and put him on Nash's line. See how they play together and go from there, don't trade Nash until you see what these two players could do for the team!I would rather the Jackets pick Nail then pass on him and trade Nash, to me that sounds like a sure fire way to kill whats left of the franchise. Besides I like the sound of Nash to Nail or vice versa!!!

Because the scouting is different for Russian players, and another failed pick from the former Soviet state would draw serious doubts about the effectiveness of Columbus scouting. At least I think that's what this article is trying to get at.

I'm not sure why everyone is unanimous about who the #1 pick should be BEFORE the draft, and then if things don't work out at some point after the draft everyone is unanimous that the team alone made a uniquely stupid decision.

DirtyDirty

Gondwanaland, ZZ

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March 18, 2012 04:53 PM ET

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Racists.

h2opololpunk

Gainesville, FL

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March 18, 2012 05:10 PM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 04:53 PM ET 03.18 by h2opololpunk

Racists.

True - the article should've read: "Why Jackets can't draft a player from Russia". The current title makes it sound like Columbus has something of Russian descent.