Is Rick Nash Still Looming Over Columbus?

March 26, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing

(61) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 7-2 clinching a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

I know it hasn’t been very long at all, just barely a season (not even if you consider that it was a short season), but I feel that Rick Nash is still looming over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Let me explain myself a little bit; as you may or may not know, I just took over the reigns as editor for this site on 6/1. As I was preparing for the role, I was researching ideas for posts and I came across the Blue Jackets single season records. All I saw was Rick Nash, Rick Nash, Rick Nash (you get the point).

Points, Goals, Game Winning Goals, and Points By A Rookie are all single season records held by Rick Nash. So as I mentioned, I feel as if Nash will be looming over Columbus for quite sometime. Is it just me or does that bother you as well? I understand that he is a part of CBJ History, but I want to move on, just like he did.

I can’t fully move on until I don’t see Nash in the record books for the Columbus Blue Jackets. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth whenever I see it. So, Who on the current roster could potentially dethrone Nash and work their way into the Blue Jackets record books?

Apr 7, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing

(71) skates with the puck against the Minnesota Wild during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Points: Nash tallied 79 points in the 08-09 season. Who could break this record? I am going to go way out on a limb and say Nick Foligno. Foligno can and will be a solid contributor in the goals and assists columns, I think he has the potential to be a solid player in the future for the Blue Jackets.

Goals: Nash scored 41 goals in the 03-04 season. Who could break this record?Marian Gaborik. If Gaborik could get back into top form again, he could top Nash’s 41 goals, in fact he has before…twice. Now he just has to do it in a Blue Jackets uniform.

Apr 9, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center

(42) skates without the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated San Jose 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Game Winning Goals: Nash scored 7 game winning goals, twice, 03-04 and 10-11. Who could break this record? Artem Anisimov. Anisimov had 3 game winning goals during this shortened season, and I think he can come up big in the future.

Points By A Rookie: Nash had 39 points his rookie season in the 02-03 season. Who could break this record? The rookie who I think will have the best shot at this is Boone Jenner. Jenner turned it up a notch this season for the Oshawa Generals with 82 points (45+37), and could very well be the next young superstar for the Blue Jackets.

I suppose it wouldn’t be to horrible after all to see Nash hold some Blue Jackets single season records. He was a huge part of this franchise and I think he helped put the Blue Jackets on the map. I do think that Columbus has a lot of young talent that will soon be in their prime and be able to achieve new heights for the Blue Jackets and be able to continue what Nash started, a new obsession over hockey in Columbus. One thing you (and I) have to remember is that this franchise is still very young, but has a very bright future ahead.

Have some different thoughts on who could outdo Rick Nash’s single season records? Leave us a comment, or better yet tweet to @UnionandBlue or post on our Facebook Page.