After months upon months of declaration from GM Scott Howson about holding firm until he got exactly what he wanted the Blue Jackets to receive in return for Rick Nash, you have to question is decision-making skills now more than ever. Howson traded Nash, along with prospect Steven Delisle and a conditional third round pick to the New York Rangers for forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, defensive prospect Tim Erixon and a 2013 first round pick. I will give you a few minutes to scratch your head, because you may be doing it for a week. Big time kudos goes to Glen Sather for holding firm on what looks like an offer he put on the table before the trade deadline, refusing to include even one of his fine young players that are so heavily coveted. No, the Blue Jackets did not even get one of Chris Kreider, Michael Del Zotto, Derek Stepan or Ryan McDonagh, when it was reported months ago that Howson wanted a package including at least one or two of them. Sather called Howson’s bluff and came away with the bracelet. The Rangers, a team that failed to score all postseason long, will land a superstar power forward expected to net at least 40 goals alongside Brad Richards; if Marian Gaborik can do it while still playing poorly, imagine a motivated Nash who excels when playing alongside quality teammates in meaningful games (53 points in 54 international games). New York was the best team in the Eastern Conference last season, and look poised to repeat that performance. In fact, if they make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, Columbus gets their third round pick back as consolation. I, along with countless other media members, have been vocal for a long time in my view of Howson’s poor player evaluation and poor roster management. That he failed to receive even one top prospect, from any of the ten teams that Nash would have been willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to, is baffling and reeks of panic and self-doubt. Instead of doing what was best for the future of Columbus (getting a building-block prospect, or player with a guaranteed output; as in accepting a trade around Joe Pavelski instead of demanding Logan Couture from San Jose), Howson chose quantity over quality. The best player Columbus receives in this trade is Erixon, a defenseman whom many scouts believe can be a top-4 guy, but a 3-4 not a 1-2. He has a good skill-set, but you have to wonder if he will be mentally prepared to play for a rebuilding (again) Jackets team. Remember, the former first round pick refused to sign with the team that drafted him (Calgary), and they were forced to ship him to New York. Dubinsky is a decent player, but looks like a career second or third line player; third line if your team is a contender. And you have to wonder if you are getting the two-time 20-goal scorer, or the one who put up 10-24-34 in 77 games last season. Anisimov likewise has a ceiling as a good third line player who can score 16-20 goals. The first round pick will likely fall somewhere in the 23-30 range, hardly franchise-shaping range. Yes, Nash has a huge contract, a $7.8M cap hit for six more seasons. But the three players Columbus receives will combine for $7.825M next season. Again, quantity over quality. And that is before it’s mentioned that Anisimov is probably due for a raise after next season which could increase the total to around $8.5M for the three of them. True, it is the salary of three players vs. one, meaning Columbus has filled three holes in their lineup for the price of one. But in trading your captain, who is proven capable of being one of the top goal scorers in the league, would you rather some nice pieces, or a true building block? Columbus didn’t receive a building block, but perhaps they will find one by getting another high pick next year when their team once again finishes near the bottom. Grade for New York: A+ Grade for Columbus: D Nick is RealGM’s NHL Feature Writer. You can reach him by email nick.obergan@realgm.com or on twitter @NickObergan