This past off-season, rumors flew regarding Rick Nash and the New York Rangers. While many believed he would be moved for Salary Cap purposes, he instead was given an Alternate Captain slot and stayed. Now the Rangers must move the winger at the Trade Deadline for a variety of reasons.
When the New York Rangers acquired Rick Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets, he was meant to be the superstar the Rangers needed. Sure, Marian Gaborik was on board, but Nash brought a two-way level game few could compete with.
The Nash deal robbed the Rangers of their depth, so the team sputtered in the playoffs in 2013. They regained that depth by moving Gaborik to the Blue Jackets in 2014, ending up in the Stanley Cup Final as a result. Yet Rick Nash struggled to dominate in the post-season, and the fans began calling for his head.
This article is not an indictment of Nash’s post-season play. It’s not a criticism of Nash as a player, either. However, the point remains the point. The New York Rangers are better off without Rick Nash.
Salary Cap Reasons:
New York shot themselves in the feet this off-season by failing to extend Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller. Now Hayes, Miller, and Mika Zibanejad are all in line for mega-extensions in the near to distant future.
Yes, Rick Nash’s $7.8 Million cap hit comes off the books following next season, but the Rangers have far more pressing needs than what Nash brings to the table. For example, New York is in desperate need of a first pair defenseman.
Extending at least one of the aforementioned trio of youngsters will cost a pretty penny. Signing a Kevin Shattenkirk or trading for and extending a young defenseman will cost plenty of cash as well. That money has to come from somewhere.
The best place for it to come from is depth. New York’s depth exists at forward, and their most expensive forward is Rick Nash.
Related Story: Blue Line Station Trade Proposals
Expansion Draft Reasons:
We already covered why Nash or Derek Stepan will likely leave this off-season. New York will want to acquire a top pair defenseman, and to do so they will have to move a forward. Rather than moving a youngster, the team will look to move an expensive, veteran forward.
Stepan is younger, plays a more valuable position, and carries sentimental value as well. His contract covers more time, something that can be of use to the Rangers with the Cap eventually growing.
Nash must be protected in the Expansion Draft. New York cannot simply leave him unprotected and see if he comes off their books, instead he takes a slot away from a younger forward. Sitting and watching that happen for a player under contract for one more season is misguided at best.
Related Story: Chris Kreider, not Rick Nash, is NYR's Most Lethal Scorer
Why Now?
Three things are true about the New York Rangers:
- Tremendous forward depth
- Tremendous need for a top pair defenseman
- Defense is not good enough to win the Stanley Cup today
Going down the list goes a long way in determining why Nash must be moved. The tremendous forward depth can cover Nash’s absence for the remainder of the season. Nash ranks 8th on the Rangers in 5v5 points per 60, 5th in power-play points, and is the sixth option on the penalty kill.
The Rangers lineup currently (as of 2/18):
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash
Michael Grabner-Kevin Hayes-J.T. Miller
Matt Puempel-Oscar Lindberg-Jesper Fast
The Rangers lineup without Rick Nash:
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey-Derek Stepan-Pavel Buchnevich
Michael Grabner-Kevin Hayes-J.T. Miller
Matt Puempel-Oscar Lindberg-Jesper Fast
Not only does the line lineup not suffer much, but Pavel Buchnevich’s growth is aided tremendously. Power-play and penalty killing time open up.
Additionally, New York can dangle Nash as trade bait for an Anaheim Ducks defenseman. While plenty of maneuvering must happen to make it work under the Salary Cap, the Ducks are desperate for scoring. If not the Ducks, there are plenty of other teams that would want a player of Nash’s caliber.
The key is to bring back as many assets as possible for Nash, as the Rangers have the future to worry about. The belief here is that this is not the year the Rangers win the Stanley Cup, but also if the Rangers move Nash they will not be waiving the white flag.
Next: Expansion Draft Opens Trade Market
Rick Nash is an immensely valuable player, but right now his value is highest as trade bait. New York needs a defenseman and/or future assets more than they need Rick Nash.