Kings Trade Rumors 2012: Rick Nash Is Available

The Los Angeles Kings are dead last in the NHL in scoring, but are tied for sixth place in the Western Conference. As the 2012 NHL trade deadline approaches, expect the Kings to be active. Ideally they would add a scorer, which makes Rick Nash of the Columus Blue Jackets an attractive option.

More: Trade Deadline: Rick Nash Open Thread

Nash has 18 goals and 21 assists in 57 games this season, his lowest scoring output since his rookie season nine years ago. But those 18 goals would lead the Kings, who are averaging 2.11 goals per game this season. The lack of scoring is what got Terry Murray fired, but the Kings are scoring less under Darryl Sutter (2.08 goals per game) than they did under Murray (2.21 per game).

Per Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post-Dispatch, Nash has submitted a list of 10 teams to which he would accept a trade, and the Kings are believed to be one of those teams. Nash is signed through the 2017-2018 season and carries a $7.8 million cap hit, so he won't come cheap.

"The usual suspects are naming the Kings as one of the most likely destinations for Nash, because, well, the Kings are one of the most likely destinations for every forward on Earth," noted Quisp at Jewels From The Crown, who offered hypothetical trade scenarios for Nash involving goaltender Jonathan Bernier and either Dustin Brown or Jack Johnson.

"I’m a Blue Jacket right now," Nash told the Post-Dispatch on Tuesday. "I’ve played my whole career here, and it’s a special place to me. So, as of right now, I’m a Blue Jacket."

The only question is will Nash still be in Columbus in two weeks? The NHL trade deadline is March 27.

For more news and notes on Kings hockey, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.