Although the Columbus Blue Jackets had less than a stellar 2007-08 season, that hasn’t stoped the people at 2K sports from recognizing some young talent in their captain, Rick Nash. We know a Blue Jackets player seems like an odd choice, but remember that players selected for covers of sports videogames are usually chosen on a basis on individual performance, not the team’s. The same applies to Nash, whom despite only being present in the NHL for four years, has appeared in three All Star games and at age 19 became the youngest player to win the “Rocket” Richard Trophy by co-leading the League with 41 goals scored.

Also embedded in the press release is the fact that development has been handed over to Visual Concepts, who are apparently rebuilding the title from the ground up. Other than reinventing the sport itself, it’s anyone’s guess as to what this could mean.
We’ll have more information on NHL 2K9 as it becomes available.