The big fish is obviously Rick Nash.  I have read the reports suggesting that the Sens are out of the running and I can tell you that is not the case.  The Senators are still very much interested in making a move if the price is right.  A key factor in all this is whether or not Nash actually wants to play here in Ottawa.

He and his agent are scheduled to meet with Jackets GM Scott Howson today and the belief is they’ll discuss the possibility of expanding his list.  Some people I have talked to today seem to think Nash would be quite receptive to the idea of playing in Ottawa.

Spezza as your centre? 22 year old Norris Trophy winner hitting you with breakout passes? Coach of the year candidate preaching an offence first, attack style? Yup that sounds pretty good to me.

It has been fascinating to watch how this has all played out the last couple weeks.  We know the organization likes Nash and wants to be involved in trade talks.  Then, we see the names of Zibanejad, Bishop and Foligno leaked as a potential package.  The timing of that leak is particularly interesting because you get the sense it’s being used as a way to get other teams to up the ante.

Then Murray speaks to the media and lets it be known that he does have an interest. A strategic move by the Sens GM and likely his way of saying, we have made our offer, and we’ll wait and see what Columbus decides to do.

Regardless, this situation is only going to get more interesting over the next couple of days.  There is no guarantee the Jackets move Nash at the Draft but everyone around the league is buzzing about the possibility.

• Rick Nash is the guy grabbing all the headlines but Bobby Ryan is another extremely attractive trade option.  Younger and at a lower cap hit, rumours indicate Ryan could be on the move over the next couple of days as well. Darren Dreger suggested on twitter that the same teams involved in Nash, are also interested in Bobby Ryan.  Obviously Murray will explore that option as well.
• Plenty of talk on this front already but the Sens continue to have an interest in Hawks defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson.  The team is very high on him and would love to make a deal for the right price.  Said this the other day but I would really be surprised if that price was Zack Smith.
• Mentioned it on Sunday and now Steve Lloyd has confirmed it on Twitter but the Sens have indeed made an offer to defenceman Matt Carkner.  Carkner wants to stay in Ottawa and the club wants to keep him.  I would be surprised if something didn’t get done.
• Contrary to some initial reports, the Nikita Filatov era isn’t finished just yet.  While Filatov won’t come to North America next season, the Sens have decided to extend a qualifying offer in order to ensure they maintain his rights should he decide to return to the NHL. A good move if you ask me.
• In the face of impending CBA doom, the NHL has gone ahead and announced the regular season schedule.  Ottawa opens their season on October 11th in Montreal and play their first home game two nights later against the Washington Capitals.  The full schedule is available here.