A comment on the realignment announcement got me to thinking about this. I remember thinking during the Rick Nash trade "sweepstakes" that Nash would be a perfict fit for what Nashville needs while he is also the type of player that Nashville management likes.



I feel like Poile would've been willing to make a similar trade to what the Rangers made for Nash. Detroit probably would've too for that matter. However, we all knew there was no way the Blue Jackets would trade within the division without substantially more. Now look at it with realignment. They essentially traded within the division. I'm thinking about the way things have turned out and how they could've turned out. How so very close things were to going so very differently. What the feelings of the teams might be? A year ago there were talks of realignment that were pushed aside by the NHLPA. Those talks had the Blue Jackets remaining in the West, but who is to say that the rumors of the time were how it would turn out? If it had turned out like today's realignment? Maybe Nash gets traded to a Nashville or Detroit which if I recall were both very interested. Detroit would've been going to the Eastern Conference with Columbus, so maybe Columbus would've taken a Nashville offer as the slightly better. If Nash landed in Nashville what else might have changed? Further into the playoffs? Suter stays in town? Predators are a cup favorite this year? Oh the possibilities. I have to say this scenario would've made Nashville a very happy franchise. With how things have turned out, Nashville is the same ole same ole. Columbus can't really be happy, but as happy as could be expected with the Nash trade results. Team still sucks, but at least he was in the East. Now they are going East which is a good thing for travel, bad thing due to playing Nash. There has to be some pretty mixed feelings there. Rangers have to be happy about it all. They got a great player without giving up a devastating amount. Realignment goes their way like we all know it will for historical/eastern teams. If things had gone the other way, then they might be the same ole same ole that Nashville is. Just some of my rambling thoughts on things. Wish I knew how to edit here better.