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As the NHL trade deadline passed yesterday, Columbus GM Scott Howson sat before the media and explained the reason he held on to star winger Rick Nash -- despite a trade request from Nash -- was because no team met Howson's high asking price. What we didn't know was how high that price really was. Tuesday, the New York Post's Larry Brooks gave us an indication by providing the details of what was believed to be the Rangers' final offer for Nash:

Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, J.T. Miller, Christian Thomas and a 2012 first-round draft pick.

Now that's just one version we've heard and there have been other packages discussed as well throughout the process. Whatever the actual final package was, we're left with two questions: Would the Rangers really up the ante this summer? And what's the right price to pay for Nash?

Perhaps Rangers GM Glen Sather would be less reluctant to tinker with the NHL roster if the Rangers fall short of the Stanley Cup this spring. And perhaps the potential acquisition of a free agent defenseman like the Predators' Ryan Suter could make one of the Rangers' current Top 4 D expendable. That said, just as the Blue Jackets could have more trading partners at the June draft and beyond, the Rangers will likewise have more options to add to their offense.

The Devils' Zach Parise headlines what figures to be a decent crop of free agent forwards this summer. And there's no reason the Rangers must add a star of Parise's or Nash's caliber. They could seek a more affordable alternative and see how top forward prospect Chris Kreider shows in the fall. If the Rangers see more desirable options this summer, options that weren't available to them at the trade deadline, they'd likely see no reason to pay Howson's premium asking price.

So what's the right price to pay? There's plenty of time to speculate, so we'll let the fans have the first crack in the comments.

John Tortorella led the Lightning to the Stanley Cup in 2004.

But that team, the Rangers coach says, wasn't as tight as his current one.

"This is the tightest team I've coached as far as how they've bonded," Tortorella said after the Rangers blanked the Devils 2-0 on Monday night at the Garden -- hours after the 3 p.m. trade deadline expired.

There's no question the Rangers could've used Rick Nash's goal-scoring prowess in their lineup. That's why they gave it their best shot to try to land him. But the organization liked its roster too much to meet Columbus' steep demands -- and Tortorella wouldn't have it any other way.

"I told you guys all year long, I like the hockey club," Tortorella said.

The Rangers (40-15-6, 21-7-2 home), who are 11-3-2 in their last 16 games, have earned the right to stay together. They hold a commanding nine-point lead in the Eastern Conference playoff standings, and have the best points percentage in the NHL (.705). They've allowed the second-fewest goals per game in the league (1.95), and have been dominant on the penalty-kill (86.2 percent).

Adding Nash would've helped ignite a Rangers offense that ranks 12th in the NHL in goals scored per contest (2.72). But goaltender Henrik Lundqvist wonders how it would've affected the team’s chemistry.

"I feel really good about this group," said Lundqvist, who made 13 saves to earn his eighth shutout of the season. "Every time you [add] someone into the group it will change the dynamic a bit. He's a great player, don't get me wrong. Maybe he would've helped us. But I really believe we have what it takes, and I'm happy management felt the same way."

The Blue Jackets wanted young talent and prized prospects from the Rangers in exchange for Nash. But GM Glen Sather wasn't biting.

Derek Stepan? Nope. Michael Del Zotto? No way. Ryan McDonagh? Not a chance. Brandon Dubinsky? Not if it means dismantling the farm system.

"We didn’t lose any kids [Monday]," Tortorella said. "I think that's very important as we're still in the process. We're heading in the right direction, but it's still a process."

"We've been building this for five to six months now," Lundqvist said. "We've been doing a pretty good job, and I think we deserve to stay together and see what we can do."

On Monday, the Rangers showed that they can clamp down defensively and grind out a victory -- as they've done many times before.

Rookie Carl Hagelin scored a gritty goal in front, the Rangers held the Devils to a season-low 13 shots -- the fewest shots the Rangers have allowed in a game since they held the Flames to 11 on Jan. 19, 1981 at MSG, according to the Elias Sports Bureau -- and Lundqivst came up big when he had to. The Rangers are now 25-0-2 when leading after two periods and 29-1-2 when scoring first.

"They're crawling up our a--," Tortorella said of the Devils, who now trail the Rangers by 12 points with 20 games remaining in the regular season. "We're trying to stay with them, and it turns into that [gritty] type of game."

The Rangers prevailed, moving a step closer to their goal of ending an 18-year Cup drought. They're still far away from that goal, though, and to get there they'll have to stay close-knit as a group.

"We really hold each other accountable, battle and have the will to compete," McDonagh said. "That's a tough thing to find in a locker room, especially at this level. We're really just looking forward to every game now, and it's a great mentality to have."

With the Rangers bowing out of the Rick Nash sweepstakes on Sunday night, it was a pretty underwhelming trade deadline day for New York.

The Eastern Conference-leading Blueshirts made only one minor move on the last day of transactions, acquiring hulking 6-foot-8, 258-pound defenseman John Scott from Chicago in exchange for a 2012 fifth-round draft pick.

As reported Sunday, the Rangers pulled out of the running for Nash on the eve of the deadline because the asking price for the coveted captain was too high. And although the team did keep in communication with Columbus Monday, it is believed Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson would not budge from his demands.

Howson admitted as much while addressing reporters in Columbus after the deadline.

"The price was high, and I don't apologize for that," Howson said. "It had to be high."

The Rangers were not the only team with sticker shock.

Despite a clear statement from Nash’s agent Joe Resnick on Saturday that his client wanted a deal done before the deadline, the former first overall draft pick will stay put with last-place Columbus.

It now appears likely that Nash will be shopped again leading up to the draft this June by Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson. However, Resnick told TSN Saturday that the list of teams to which Nash would waive his no-movement clause and accept a trade would not change regardless of the timing.

The Rangers were one of a few teams on Nash’s approved list.

The potential acquisition of Nash was a polarizing one for fans and media. Some feared that adding Nash at the cost of valuable young assets could disrupt team chemistry. Others felt it could be the piece that could turn the Rangers into a Stanley Cup favorite.

Brandon Dubinsky, whose name surfaced in recent weeks as a potential trading chip to acquire Nash, said he didn't think he’d be dealt during the team’s morning skate at Madison Square Garden Monday.

“I know this team wants me. I know how much I wanna be here. I’m pretty confident that at 3:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time that I’ll be a New York Ranger,” Dubinsky said Monday morning, about 4.5 hours before the 3 p.m. trade deadline.

Coach John Tortorella also expressed confidence in his team as currently comprised.

“I like our team,” Tortorella said.

--Mike Mazzeo contributed to this report

Rangers left winger Brandon Dubinsky’s name has been prominently mentioned in trade rumors involving Blue Jackets superstar Rick Nash, but Dubinsky doesn’t expect to be dealt.

“I know this team wants me. I know how much I wanna be here. I’m pretty confident that at 3:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time that I’ll be a New York Ranger,” Dubinsky said Monday morning, about 4.5 hours before the 3 p.m. trade deadline.

The 25-year-old Dubinsky has recorded just six goals and 19 assists in 57 games for the first-place Rangers this season. He understands he could be moved. At the same time, it’s out of his control.

“It’s part of the business. There’s guys that have been traded seven or eight times. I’ve never been traded,” Dubinsky said.

Dubinsky is approaching Monday night’s game at the Garden against the Devils just like any other game.

“There’s nothing I can say or do. I just gotta come to the rink and do what I gotta do,” he said.

“I’m getting ready to play the Devils. I went through morning skate and then I’m gonna have a pre-game meal. I’m not gonna go home and pack my bags.”

Dubinsky has heard the rumors, but he’s not going to look into them and said, “it’s all rumors and nonsense until the day that it actually happens.”

Even though he hasn’t produced the way the Rangers hoped he would, Dubinsky is ready to put the past behind him and focus on the team’s remaining 22 regular-season games.

“I’m not gonna get down on myself,” Dubinsky said. “I’m gonna go into the last part of the season and into the playoffs with a chip on my shoulder and something to prove -- because as much as anybody wants to criticize me, I’m my own biggest critic and that’s certainly something I think about more than anybody who writes about it or watches it.”

Despite Dubinsky’s struggles, the Rangers have a seven-point lead in the Eastern Conference standings.

It doesn’t appear that coach John Tortorella wants to mess with his blue-collar team’s chemistry at this point.

“I like our team. Tight group. I like our team,” Tortorella said.

“We just go about our business. I don’t try to get too involved in it. I don’t pay attention to it. I prepare the team every night the same as always.”

The Rangers would love to add a potent scorer like Nash to their lineup, but have been unwilling to meet Columbus’ steep demands in terms of young talent for the dynamic left winger, who has scored 280 career goals in 654 games.

• Tortorella said the Rangers’ lineup will remain the same for Monday night’s tilt.

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will be seeking to win 30 games for the NHL-record seventh straight season to start his career. Rookie Stu Bickel will dress on defense, which means veteran Steve Eminger will not.

Rangers left winger Brandon Dubinsky, whose name has been discussed in trade rumors involving Blue Jackets superstar Rick Nash, was on the ice and participating in the team’s morning skate on Monday, about 4.5 hours prior to the 3 p.m. trade deadline.

Rangers coach John Tortorella said the lineup would remain the same for Monday night’s game at the Garden against the Devils, and added that he “likes our team.”

As of Sunday night, the New York Rangers appear to be out of the running for Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash.

Barring a drastic change, a deal to bring the prized winger to New York does looks unlikely, a source told ESPNNewYork.com

The Rangers were believed to be the front-runners for the former No. 1 pick whose availability has dominated trade talks in the days leading up to the deadline, but New York does not appear to be willing to concede to Columbus' demands.

Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson's asking price for the franchise player is reportedly significant; according to multiple reports he is asking for a roster player, top prospect and a first-round pick, if not more.

Howson's trading partners, however, are slim. The Rangers are among a few teams on Nash's approved list of clubs to which he'd waive his no-movement clause and accept a trade. San Jose and Toronto have also talked to Howson this week.

In the first statement from Nash's camp since his availability surfaced, that list will not expand should Howson wait until the draft to make a deal.

"If a deal is not reached, then the list of acceptable teams will not change at a later date," Nash's agent Joe Resnick told TSN Saturday.

Resnick made it clear his client wanted to see a deal completed before Monday's 3 p.m. ET deadline.

"We're hopeful a deal can get done prior to the trade deadline that is fair and equitable to the Blue Jackets," Resnick said.

Curious decision by Columbus to play Rick Nash against Pittsburgh today -- teams generally hold a player out of the game as a precaution if intent on dealing him -- but Nash seemed unfazed by the incessant speculation regarding his future.

The 27-year-old captain tallied a short-handed goal in the second period to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead against the Penguins before Pittsburgh rallied back for the 4-2 win. It was Nash's first short-handed goal since October 2009.

Interesting to see the effect trade rumors have on players. Just Saturday, Kings captain Dustin Brown recorded a hat trick for L.A. less than two days after news spread about his availability.

Nash's 21st goal of the season may very well be his last as a Blue Jacket.

Nash's agent Joe Resnick spoke out Saturday to express his client's desire to see a deal get done before the deadline.

"We're hopeful a deal can get done prior to the trade deadline that is fair and equitable to the Blue Jackets," Resnick told TSN's Bob McKenzie Saturday.

No deal appears to be imminent, however, given Columbus' willingness to play Nash against the Penguins.

The clock is ticking on Monday's 3 p.m. trade deadline, and while speculation continues about a potential blockbuster deal to bring coveted forward Rick Nash to New York, no trade seems imminent.

The 27-year-old captain, whose sudden availability set the NHL abuzz last week, is in the lineup for Columbus Sunday, ESPNNewYork.com has learned.

Teams will often hold a player out of a game while working on a deal as a precaution, but Columbus will not do so for Nash with the Blue Jackets in Pittsburgh for Sunday's game against the Penguins at 1 p.m.

While that doesn't mean Nash won't be traded before the deadline, it is a likely indication that no deal is in the works - yet.

As the market to land Nash has thinned over the last few days -- LA essentially removed themselves from the running with their acquisition of Jeff Carter Thursday, while Toronto's biggest need now seems to be a capable goaltender -- Nash's agent Joe Resnick issued a clear message about his client's wishes Sunday afternoon.

"We're hopeful a deal can get done prior to the trade deadline that is fair and equitable to the Blue Jackets," Resnick told TSN's Bob McKenzie Saturday.

Resnick also said that Nash's list of approved teams to which he'd accept a trade -- Nash has a no-movement clause in his eight-year, $62.4 million deal -- will not change regardless of when a deal is made. With Columbus GM's reportedly high asking price, many assumed he'd have better luck trying to move the former first overall pick at the draft this June.

"If a deal is not reached," Resnick told McKenzie. "Then the list of acceptable teams will not change at a later date."

The Rangers got a good glimpse of what trade target Rick Nash can offer a team when they faced the 6-4, 216-pound Blue Jackets captain Sunday.

Fans at Madison Square Garden weren't too thrilled when the 27-year-old star forced the game into overtime with his game-tying goal late in the third, and they had no problem letting him know about it.

What did the Rangers think of his overall performance?

"He’s a big guy and his feet are always churning. He’s a lot like [Evgeni] Malkin," said top-pair defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who was matched up against Nash for the most of Sunday's 3-2 win over Columbus along with defensive partner Dan Girardi. "He’s got the same kind of hands and he’s so fast in the way he moves with the puck. And definitely his shot, his quick release and how hard it is, those are some of the biggest things he’s got."

Defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who set up Derek Stepan's overtime game-winner Sunday, said Nash is the best of both worlds with his combination of size and skill.

"He can skate, he’s big and he can score. Those are the toughest guys to play against, guys that can move and that are tough to knick off the puck," Del Zotto. "He's a pretty dynamic player."

Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman played with Nash in Columbus for two seasons from 2009-11 and knows him better than most. He sees huge offensive potential for Nash and any team that may be able to land him at the deadline.

"He’s a skilled power forward; obviously, more toward the skilled side of it, but still, he’s a big body that comes with speed, and he finishes checks. He’s got a little bit of everything," Stralman said.

The 25-year-old blue-liner, who likened Nash to Red Wings star forward Pavel Datsyuk, said he thinks Nash could break out offensively given an opportunity to play with a top team.

Taken by the Blue Jackets first overall in the 2002 draft, Nash has spent his entire career inColumbus with little to show for it by way of post-season success. Nash has made only one playoff appearance, during the 2008-09 season when the Blue Jackets were swept in the first round by Detroit.

"He’s one of the best players in the league," Stralman said of Nash, who has posted four straight seasons of 32 goals or more. "He’s been a little bit alone over there [in Columbus] for the past ten years. If he was on any top team in the league, he’d have probably 80 to 100 points each year, whereas now he’s doing 60."

Stralman is aware of the speculation that surrounds his former teammate and, like many players on the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers, is eager to see how it plays out.

"Bunch of rumors going around. That’s what happens when a team struggles for so long. They obviously tried to make changes this year and they didn’t pay off," Stralman said. "I wish him the best. He’s a great guy and a good player."

As speculation continues to swirl around the future Columbus Blue Jackets star wing Rick Nash, there are a few new perspectives posted Monday on the topic of a possible trade.

After New York Rangers fans made their preference known at the Garden Sunday, ESPN Insider's Neil Greenberg backed their vocal opinion, writing Monday that Nash, who turns 28 in June, would almost certainly fail to produce at a level worthy of his salary cap hit over the next five seasons.

"Among players in their age 28 to 33 seasons, there have been just six players in the modern era who have hit that 25-goal, 65-point mark (Brett Hull, Guy Lafleur, Jaromir Jagr, Jean Pronovost, Rick Middleton and Yvan Cournoyer) but just one player has done it in all six: Iginla."

Factor in any player/prospect/pick package going back to Columbus and it seems that the price for Nash will be a very expensive one, one that the Rangers could be paying for years down the line.

With next Monday's trade deadline looming and Rick Nash dangling as trade bait in Columbus, Rangers fans find themselves divided into two camps:

1) Those that want general manager Glen Sather to pull the trigger and land the coveted 27-year-old star.

and

2) Those that think the blockbuster deal may be too risky given the hefty price tag Columbus will demand in exchange for their captain.

Where do you fall?

NEW YORK, NY – The Rangers may be interested in acquiring star forward Rick Nash, but a contingent of fans at Madison Square Garden Sunday night clearly feel otherwise.

The crowd taunted the Blue Jackets captain with taunts of “We don’t want you!” after the 27-year-old winger tallied the tying goal with 1:33 left in regulation to force the game in overtime.

After the game, Nash laughed off the razzing and seemed unfazed by the fans' serenade.

“I mean, that’s the reception you’re going to get in any building if you score in the last minute to tie it up on the road," Nash answered good-naturedly. “It was an exciting game and it was a tough one. We were lucky to get one point.”

Ultimately, Garden faithful went home happy after Derek Stepan notched the game-winner 22 seconds into the overtime for the 3-2 win. But they may need to change their tune soon.

The Rangers are perceived by many to be the front-runners of the handful of teams pursuing Nash, who was reportedly made available by Columbus earlier this week, largely because of the assets they could provide with top prospects like Chris Kreider, Tim Erixon, J.T. Miller and Dylan McIlrath.

Any deal to bring Nash to Broadway is expected to come at a hefty price tag – some reports indicated Brandon Dubinsky, Kreider and a first-round draft pick, if not more – but the Rangers have legitimate interest in the 27-year-old winger.

Multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun that the Rangers, Kings, Leafs and Flyers have all had discussions with Columbus this past week regarding Nash.

Columbus General Manager Scott Howson was in attendance for Sunday’s match – he watched the game with assistant GM Chris MacFarland from his seat in the auxiliary press box – but it is unclear whether he sat down with Rangers GM Glen Sather while in New York.

Swarmed by reporters in a pre-game gathering, Nash politely sidestepped questions regarding his status with the team.

The former first overall draft pick, who has spent his entire career with Columbus, offered a “no comment” when asked whether he could envision playing in New York and whether the Rangers were on his list of acceptable teams to which he would waive his no-movement clause and accept a trade.

Before the game, Nash conceded that all the trade talk has been a distraction for the downtrodden Blue Jackets, but said he is keeping his focus.

"I just worry about today. Right now, I'm a Blue Jacket and that's what matters," Nash said. "I've played my whole career here and I'm dealing with a game I have to play in two hours, so that's all I'm worrying about."

After the game, Nash was complimentary of the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers, who improved to 38-14-5 with the overtime victory.

“They’re a very good team,” Nash said. “You can see why they’re in first place.”

NEW YORK, NY -- Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash was tight-lipped about a potential trade that could bring him to Broadway.

The prized 27-year-old winger was reportedly placed on the trading block earlier this week by the last-place Blue Jackets, who are in town to play the Rangers at Madison Square Garden Sunday, but Nash provided little insight on where he will wind up when the NHL's trade deadline passes next Monday at 3 p.m.

"I just worry about today. Right now, I'm a Blue Jacket and that's what matters," Nash said. "I've played my whole career here and I'm dealing with a game I have to play in two hours, so that's all I'm worrying about."

Surrounded by a large media contingent, Nash carefully sidestepped whether he'd like to remain a Blue Jacket or be dealt by the deadline.

"It's going to take care of itself. I'm a Blue Jacket right now," said
Nash, whose Columbus squad is 4-6-0 over the last ten games. "It's fun. We're playing great hockey, it's been fun to be around. It's been a tough year for us, but right now, when you're winning games...it becomes a different game."

When asked whether the Rangers, perceived by many to be among the front-runners to land the franchise player, were on his "approved" list of teams to which he'd waive his no-movement clause and accept a trade, Nash replied:

"No comment."

Nash offered the same refrain when asked if he could see himself playing for the Rangers, who are among a handful of teams in hot pursuit of the former first overall pick. Multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun that the Rangers, Kings, Leafs and Flyers have all held talks this week with Columbus regarding Nash.

Does Nash think about what it might be like to play at Madison Square Garden now that he's here with the trade deadline a little over a week away?

"No, You're in different buildings every night pretty much, so it's just another game," Nash said.

He did not seem fazed by the crush of reporters that swarmed him hours before the game, however.

"I'm fine," he said. "I played in the Olympics a couple of times for Canada, so this is really nothing compared to that."

Fielding inquiries about his future, Nash did not reveal much but he did concede that the recent hype has been a "distraction" for the downtrodden Blue Jackets.

"It's been distracting for our team," said Nash, who has 18 goals and
21 assists in 58 games for Columbus this season. "We've been playing great hockey, that's the important thing. We've been getting some wins and it's been fun."

The distractions are bound to multiply over the next eight days as teams jockey to land the star player, who is on the second year of an eight-year, $62.4 million deal.

Columbus general manager Scott Howson met with Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke in Manhattan Sunday morning, Burke confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com, and Howson is expected to meet with Rangers GM Glen Sather at some point during his trip to New York as well.

As reported earlier by ESPNNewYork.com, Columbus general manager Scott Howson will be in attendance for Sunday's game between the Rangers and the Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden.

Given the Rangers' interest in prized forward Rick Nash, it is expected that Howson and general manager Glen Sather will meet at some point during his visit to New York, if they haven't already.

But assuming that sit-down takes place, Sather won't be the only GM in town courting the Blue Jackets' captain.

A source confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, in New York on un-related business, met with Howson in an "un-scheduled" meeting this morning.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, Toronto is one of a handful of teams on Nash's "approved" list of destinations to which he'd waive his no-movement clause and accept a trade. In addition to the Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins are believed to round out that list.

Multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun that the Rangers, Kings, Leafs and Flyers are among teams that have held trade talks this past week with Columbus regarding Nash.

Speculation and trade talk is expected to heat up in advance of Sunday's game between Nash's Blue Jackets and the rumored front-runners. Although long-considered untouchable, Nash was reportedly made available by the beleaguered Blue Jackets early last week.

Several teams are interested in acquiring the talented winger, but Howson's asking price will be significant and Nash remains in the driver's seat. He must approve any potential trade because of his no-movement clause.

The NHL trade deadline is Monday, February 27 at 3 p.m.

Columbus is in dire need of goaltending and would presumably like to bolster the position in any trade involving captain Rick Nash.

The Rangers, assumed by many to be front-runners in a potential blockbuster deal to land the sought-after 27-year-old forward, don't have one to dangle as trade bait.

Deal-breaker?

Apparently not.

While the Blue Jackets are planning an "overhaul" in net during the summer, they have not made goaltending a "demand," according to the Columbus Dispatch.

"We want value," a source told the paper. "Doesn't have to be that position."

Los Angeles is one of the six teams reportedly on Nash's approved list of clubs to whom he'd accept a trade -- he has a no-movement clause he'd have to waive -- and they have backup Jonathan Bernier reportedly available, although doubts remain on whether he is a bona fide starter.

The Rangers host the Blue Jackets Sunday at Madison Square Garden.