The Blue Jackets had shopped Nash during the season and tried moving him before the Feb. 27 trade deadline, but Howson wasn't able to land what he had been looking for.
Nash, who submitted a list of teams he was willing to accept a trade to, already reviewed some alternative options with his agent, Joe Resnick, last month, TFP has learned, and is believed to have expanded his list, which still includes teams like Toronto and San Jose.
However, the Dispatch claims the Blue Jackets are moving forward as if the list doesn't exist.
While a trade seems to be inevitable, a deal is likely to be made around the time of the NHL Draft, which takes place in Pittsburgh on June 22-23.
Last year, the Blue Jackets pulled the trigger on a trade to land Jeff Carter from Philadelphia a day before the draft.
The Sharks seem to be the most interested in Nash, as they've been most publicized recently, but the Leafs are also going to make a serious attempt to acquire the sniper.
The New York Rangers, who were bounced by the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Final, were also among the teams heavily pursuing Nash and are expected to renew talks in the coming weeks, and it was recently reported that the Boston Bruins are set to make a significant offer for Nash, one that could include Milan Lucic or David Krejci.
