"We might not even trade him," Howson half-jokingly admitted.
The consensus around the NHL, though, is that a trade is inevitable and a deal could be reached closer to the June 22 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Several teams have shown an interest in Nash, including the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, and more are expected to contact Howson about a potential deal.
The Blue Jackets are desperately seeking a No. 1 goaltender, and depending on the team they complete a trade with, could ask for one as part of a package.
However, of the five teams listed above, only the Kings have a goaltender to move in Jonathan Bernier, and Los Angeles won't consider any deal until well after the Stanley Cup Final has concluded.
The Kings dealt defenseman Jack Johnson to the Blue Jackets in February for center Jeff Carter.
Nash met with his agent, Joe Resnick, in April to review a variety of paperwork and presumably adjust his list of teams he'd accept a trade to.
