COLUMBUS, Ohio – It turns out the Blue Jackets were able to trade the injured center Riley Nash after all.
Nash was traded to Toronto on Friday for a seventh-round conditional pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. If he plays 25 percent of the Maple Leafs’ postseason games, the Blue Jackets will instead be given a sixth-round pick.
That’s not exactly a blockbuster. But when Nash sustained a sprained left knee in a loss to Florida last week, the Blue Jackets and Nash thought he would be off the market before Monday’s trade deadline.
He was surprised when Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen called him on Friday.
“Yes, it was, ‘Why is he calling me?’ It didn’t really resonate, “said Nash, who is expected to be sidelined for another three to five weeks.” I was a little taken aback, just enjoying a casual Friday.