Flyers, Blue Jackets in serious talks about Nash

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That old story of the Flyers and Columbus talking about Rick Nash resurfaced Saturday afternoon.
 
Two sources say the Flyers are in serious discussions with the Blue Jackets to acquire the proven 40-goal winger.
 
Problem is, do the Flyers have the assets to do the deal without gutting their forward spots? Columbus general manager Scott Howson apparently wants both Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier or one of them with several other players.
 
Given that the Flyers just traded for Brayden’s brother, Luke, last week, and used a valuable asset in James van Riemsdyk, that seemingly takes Brayden out of the picture. Couturier is almost untouchable in a lot of minds within the Flyers organization.
 
The Rangers want Nash even more than the Flyers, but so far, New York hasn’t swung a deal either.
 
Nash carries a $7.8 million cap hit over the next six years so any deal would have to see the Flyers lose substantial salary.
 
The Flyers go into free agency on Sunday with about $12 million in cap space, if they hold true to the league’s approval of a $70.2 million cap for next season.
 
The next CBA, however, likely sees that figure trimmed by several million.

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net