New York Rangers: Ranking the best of the Rick Nash trade

Today is the five year anniversary of Rick Nash being traded to the New York Rangers. The deal included many pieces that have changed a lot since that day.

It’s hard to believe it’s already been five years of Rick Nash as a New York Ranger. His tenure has had many ups and downs that have made for a memorable, unfinished run.

Nash came to the Rangers in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Rangers sent Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon, and the Rangers 2013 first round pick (Kerby Rychel) in exchange for Rick Nash, Steve Delisle, and the Blue Jackets’ 2013 third round pick (Pavel Buchnevich).

Lots of good came from this trade on both ends. Here is a look at which players or teams got the best of this deal.

#5: Brandon Dubinsky

Brandon Dubinsky was a staple for the Rangers before the trade. It can’t be easy going from the big apple to Ohio, but Dubinsky has made the most of it.

From a numbers standpoint, Dubinsky almost instantly got better after the move. The year before the trade, Dubinsky had 34 points through 77 games with the Rangers. The following year in Columbus, Dubinsky had 20 points in just 29 games. Columbus was clearly better suited for his presence.

From a contract standpoint, Dubinsky was able to pick up a raise with the Blue Jackets. He was traded with a $4.2M cap hit that lasted through his first three years in Columbus. When his contract was up, Columbus resigned him to a mammoth six year, $5.8M AAV contract. The Rangers likely wouldn’t have been able to give him that money.

Now, Dubinsky is the alternate captain for the Blue Jackets and has a big role with the team. He certainly came out of this deal a winner.

#4: Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets got a lot out of this trade for sending their captain away.

Their return included two starters in Anisimov and Dubinsky, and also Kerby Rychel who had limited NHL time with the Blue Jackets.

The first round pick that the Blue Jackets used to take Rychel with was the 19th overall pick in the draft. He played just 37 games as a Blue Jacket and registered 12 points. Rychel was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs last June in exchange for defenseman Scott Harrington and future considerations.

Harrington is just 23 years old and had a good year for the Blue Jackets. He played in 22 games with three points and a +3 rating. He shows lots of promise for the future and could see an increased role this year.

Dubinsky is still with the Blue Jackets and has logged almost 200 points in a little over 300 games since the trade.

Anisimov was traded to the Blackhawks last year in a part of a big package for Brandon Saad. In turn, the Blue Jackets later used Saad to later acquire young star Artemi Panarin from the Blackhawks.

All in all, the Blue Jackets gave up their captain for Dubinsky, Panarin, and a young defenseman with upside. Not a bad return at all.

#3: Artemi Panarin

Artemi Panarin probably never thought that this trade would help him to a better spot in the NHL.

Panarin entered the league with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015. He proceeded to have two magnificent seasons posting 77 and 74 points, respectively. That performance got him a $6M extension with the Blackhawks earlier in the year.

However, Panarin was later traded to the Blue Jackets straight up for Brandon Saad. They both have the same AAV on their contract, but money seems to have been the motive. Saad is signed for four more years than Panarin is, and he could likely demand a raise in two years that the Blackhawks won’t be able to give him.

The Blackhawks are looking like their window has closed after being swept in the first round of the playoffs. The Blue Jackets are much younger, have a great goalie, and look to be competitive in the coming years. If you’re Panarin, that’s a situation you want to be a part of.

He has a great pay check, better team, and has a chance to make even more money in the coming years. It would be appropriate to pen Rick Nash a thank you letter for that.

#2: Rick Nash

The poster boy of the trade has done well for himself also after this trade.

Put simply, Nash was traded to a much more competitive team at the time of the trade. The Rangers have continued to be competitive since, even making a Stanley Cup Final in Nash’s second year with the team.

Nash has played in 73 playoff games in the past five years as a Ranger. It’s disappointing that he hasn’t won a Stanley Cup, but he has gained plenty of playoff experience that looks nice on his resume when he will need a new contract next summer.

It’s worth noting that Nash has also been getting paid a little more than what he probably deserves. He was able to sign a contract with the Blue Jackets that paid his $7.8M per year since 2010. As a Ranger, he hasn’t been great in the playoffs and he has only eclipsed 60 points once.

At the end of the day, Nash has done well for himself with this trade.