The most important task of the off-season for the Columbus Blue Jackets was checked off the to-do list Friday night when the Jackets resigned Captain Rick Nash to an eight year, $64.2 million extension.
The deal has Nash earning $7.5 million in 2010-'11, and raises each year until it peaks at $8.2 million in 2017-'18. He currently has one year remaining in his previous contract in which he will make $7 million.
"It's a very fair number," said Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson. "(Nash) made a statement to the team and the city that he's not out for the last dollar. He wanted to have a fair contract that allows us the flexibility to build the team around him." Nash's Agent Joe Resnick stated that "Rick did not want to go unrestricted," He continued, "He believes in what they're doing in Columbus. He believes in his teammates. He truly loves the city."
Nash is the Jackets all-time leading goal scorer with 194 goals in his six seasons. He is also the leader in points with 355 in 441 career games. He was selected by Columbus first overall in 2002, after the Jackets traded up to get him. In 2003-'04, Nash became the youngest player to lead the league in goals, with 41, and shared the Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer with Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk.
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