RICK NASH

At an airport hotel in suburban Toronto yesterday, the Blue Jackets commenced their push to keep captain Rick Nash under contract long into the future. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson organized a noon meeting with Nash and his agent, Joe Resnick, at which Howson laid bare the Jackets' plans long into the future: how he plans to build the Blue Jackets , where Nash fits into the grand scheme, etc. It was seen by Resnick as a bold and unique move. But with Nash able to sign a contract extension as of noon today, Howson was willing to go out of his way to state the Blue Jackets' case. "This is the most important contract I've ever been involved with," Howson said. While some NHL clubs plan a shopping spree when free agency opens, also at noon today, Howson and the Blue Jackets will work feverishly to keep one of their own. "Right from the beginning, (Howson) has said that Rick is the priority, that he'll be knocking at our door on July 1," Resnick said. "That's been a constant throughout. "If I saw Scott throughout the year, if we went for coffee, that was his motto: 'We'll do everything we can do to get it done.' " The next pro contract Nash signs will be his third. The first, right after he was drafted, went down to the 11th hour. The second, a five-year, $27 million deal signed in August 2005, came together in about 48 hours. How long might this one take? Nash is signed through the 2009-10 season, so no other team can negotiate with him -- if he remains unsigned -- until July 1, 2010. But neither side wants it to take too long. "I know what (today) could mean for me and the organization," Nash said. "I'd like it to happen quickly but, if it doesn't, I have no problem waiting until both sides are happy. "I've come up right through the ranks; now I'm the captain. I love this organization; I love everything about it. Nobody wants to rob the other person; we just both want to be satisfied." One or two contract offers will be sent Resnick's way via e-mail today. Neither the term of the contract nor the money has been discussed. Howson didn't extend a contract offer yesterday. Instead, he made a lengthy, all-encompassing presentation to Nash and Resnick. Howson detailed the Blue Jackets' salary structure, how they project their young players, how active they expect to be in free agency in future seasons, and how they would surround Nash with the talent necessary to produce a winning club. "And it was off-the-ice stuff, too," Resnick said. "It was about Rick's standing in the community, the way he carries himself in public, the time and the money he gives to charitable causes in Central Ohio. Scott wanted to make it clear to Rick that they think about those things when it comes to putting together this contract, that they don't go unnoticed. "The larger point was ... he's a huge part of the Blue Jackets' organization." Nash said he can see the benefits of signing a four- or five-year contract, as well as the recently fashionable 10-year deals some players are seeking. "If I sign a five-year contract, I come out at the end of it at 30 years old," Nash said. "That's when most guys are in their prime. "The crazy long-term contracts -- 10 years or so -- that could be kind of nice, too." It's unlikely the Blue Jackets would allow Nash to play out his contract through next season and risk losing him to free agency next summer for nothing. That's what Minnesota faces as of today with right winger Marian Gaborik. If it becomes clear deep into the summer that Nash isn't going to re-sign, Howson might decide to trade him. "I'm not even thinking about that," Howson said. "We had a very positive meeting" yesterday. Nash said: "I sure hope we don't get to that point." Resnick said: "We're not going into the negotiations just to bang tires. We're going in to negotiate and get a deal done. And we're optimistic." If this deal takes more than a week to consummate, the storm of rumors will begin to swirl north of the border. "Last summer, there were rumors," Nash said. "This summer, it's been unbelievable. I've been at the mall, out to a movie, at a golf tournament ... even crossing the border one time. "People are saying 'You better be coming to Toronto.' That is the team I grew up watching. But I'm committed to the Blue Jackets . I want to take this organization to the next level." aportzline@dispatch.com