Of course I meant that headline literally and not fig Either Rick Nash or Bobby Ryan, so who should they get? The answer is obviously the younger Ryan right? Nope, First, BR is signed for this season and the next and then the following two (3 years total). Do you really want to break the bank on a trade, since you may only get those three years out of him? Also there is this he's kind of a baby do you want a guy that runs to the press when things don't go his way? I think Nash, even though he's owed more money is the better option of the two. First he's the Captain of his team, and he actually tried to keep his trade demand behind the scenes but Howson is so inept that it came out (you opinion of that saga may be different and I can see both sides). Also Nash is signed until the end of the '18 season (Mayan calendar not withstanding). So right now you're thinking, "Isn't Rick Nash all old and broken down Sean?" First off, How the hell did you find out my real name? Also, did you know that Rick Nash is only a month older than Zach Parise and is 3 months younger than Alex Semin? That makes him only 3 years older than Bobby Ryan. Definitely a difference, but is it a deciding difference? I lean towards no. Then there is the matter of what you would have to give up to get him. If Howson's irrational demand would be Landeskog and he doesn't back off of it then the trade is a no go. If he needs a roster player (or two) and a bunch of prospects then the avs have a great store of player to go with. Now on to the 'HF Boards' part of the post. They will need a forward to replace his spot, Either McGinn or Downie could be used. Defense? I'm not sure the avs have any spare defensemen do you? O'Bryne ideally but Wilson if that's not enough (you hate to pull a SJ and trade someone you just signed to a multi year contract a la Setoguchi--it's a big time dick move). Then you get to the prospects, the blue jackets did trade for Bobrovsky but are lacking in goalie prospects--Pickard, see you later (or their choice if it gets Nash here). Then the other prospects, the Jackets are like one deep at center in their entire organization, so Hishon if they want him (I could see why they wouldn't) and/or Sgarbossa. One of Barrie or Elliott would be a definate. Send them a 1st and have them send a 2nd back our way too. I think that would be a competitive bid. Would the avs do it? It's probably adding 5 million to the expected salary this season. Would BJ fans go for it? More importantly Would Howson do it?