by Aaron Portzline, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH , The Columbus Dispatch

"You start the process of legitimacy as a franchise when you make the playoffs," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "When you take care of your own players, it's a good sign for the franchise. It's taking legitimacy to another level.

"When your best players want to be there, it's a sign of a lot of good things."

Nash's signing, which will keep him under contract through 2017-18, could have far-reaching consequences.

For one, it helps repair the public-relations hit the club endured when former captain Adam Foote forced his way out of Columbus and back to Colorado during the 2007-08 season. Many outside Central Ohio saw that as a veteran player wanting out of a hopeless situation.

Also, Nash signing on until he's 34 will make it easier for general manager Scott Howson to keep his cadre of young stars together, players such as goalie Steve Mason and forwards Derick Brassard, Jake Voracek and Nikita Filatov.

And it could make Columbus easier to sell to future free agents, said Nash's agent, Joe Resnick.

"Rick has shown a huge amount of faith in what the Blue Jackets are doing," he said. "When a player of his stature steps up and signs on long term, it immediately becomes a more attractive place. It's a selling point that guys can come to Columbus and play with Nasher."

The Blue Jackets wouldn't even consider the possibility of Nash being traded or leaving as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

"I don't want to even go there," Howson said last week, before the extension was signed. "It's not a pleasant thought."

In hindsight, the massive changes the Blue Jackets have undergone the past few years couldn't have waited another day.

Hitchcock brought instant credibility with him when he was hired as coach in November 2006. It was the beginning of the end for previous president and general manager Doug MacLean, whose unchecked power in Nationwide Arena was instantly challenged by Hitchcock's presence alone.

Howson, hired as general manager the following summer, spent the first season cleaning up MacLean's oil spill. Last summer, he retooled the roster, bringing in eight new players.

The Blue Jackets were finally headed in the right direction. They made the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time this spring.

"I don't know that Columbus was considered as a serious place to play Hockey (three years ago)," Hitchcock said. "There was potential, sure, but that doesn't get you very far if you don't coordinate, if you don't have an identity.

"Look what's going on here now. Look at the names and the players on our roster, and how good this club is becoming right before our very eyes.

"Rick signing on for that long is absolutely huge for us. We have a very strong identity about us now."

aportzline@dispatch.com

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