PITTSBURGH - The NHL draft often presents the possibility of the oh-so popular blockbuster. This year is no different.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are attempting to trade disgruntled captain Rick Nash, the Anaheim Ducks are shopping young goal scorer Bobby Ryan, and Pittsburgh Penguins center Jordan Staal has rejected a 10-year contract extension, meaning he could be dealt.
While the Wild is not involved in trade talks for Nash, General Manager Chuck Fletcher probably has interest in both Ryan and Staal.
Ryan, 25, is a four-time 30-goal scorer taken one spot after Sidney Crosby in the 2005 draft. Former Ducks GM Brian Burke once said, "When he was on our staff in Anaheim, Chuck Fletcher is the guy that pushed hardest for Bobby Ryan, not me."
Staal apparently doesn't want to spend his entire career trapped behind centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Wild coach Mike Yeo has a lot of admiration for Staal from his days as Pittsburgh's assistant, while Fletcher is also a former Penguins assistant GM.
Because Staal can become a free agent next summer, the only way the Wild would be willing to trade for the 23-year-old is if it knew he would be willing to sign an extension. He is not willing to do that, according to a source close to the situation -- with the possible exception of being traded to Carolina, where his brother, Eric, is team captain.
A potential match for Ryan could be Philadelphia, which is shopping James van Riemsdyk. Ryan grew up around Philadelphia and is very close to Flyers executive Bobby Clarke, a Flyers hero in the 1970s.
Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson is sticking to his guns and demanding four top assets for Nash, but many of the teams interested in Nash are interested in Ryan, who is younger and cheaper. The Rangers, Philadelphia, Ottawa, San Jose, Carolina and Toronto are hot after Nash, who must approve any trade.
