The free agent market is in virtual gridlock waiting for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to announce where they intend to spend the next 10-plus years of their lives.
Both players have been bombarded with mega-term, mega-million dollar offers, so the decision now comes down to where each player wants to be, and believes he has the best chance of winning a Stanley Cup.
This isn't just a waiting game, it's a game of dominos.
The most impacted player by this process is Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash, who sits quietly on the sidelines waiting for a trade, a deal that Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson thinks will bring a premium return once those teams who fail to land Parise are identified.
The New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers stand as the top three Nash trade targets, although Carolina, a club not originally on Nash's list, may be intriguing enough for the star forward to consider expanding the list of teams he's willing to go to.
The San Jose Sharks are also on the list, but, they will not make a deal if Logan Couture has to be included, so they remain somewhat of a long-shot.
There is no doubt Nash is growing frustrated by a process that dates back to January. However, Howson is counting on a bidding war and the only way to test that theory is to wait for the trade offers once Parise is out of the mix.
It might be the most expensive game of dominos the National Hockey League has ever seen.
