New York Rangers: Five potential trade destinations for Rick Nash
Rick Nash has been a subject of trade rumors for the New York Rangers dating back to the 2016 offseason. At the 2018 trade deadline, with Nash set to be an unrestricted free agent in July, this may become a reality.
Rick Nash is a polarizing subject for New York Rangers’ fans. There are basically two schools of thought on him; one is that he is extremely overrated, doesn’t finish, and isn’t “clutch” during the playoffs, and the other is that he is one of the Rangers’ most talented players, can score, and does a lot of things well away from the puck.
Regardless of which stance fans take on Nash, there is no denying that he has been a valuable player for the New York Rangers in his time here, but he is no longer worth $7.8 million. With the Rangers potentially looking to shed cap space and acquire some prospects and draft picks at the trade deadline, logically Nash, set to be a UFA at the end of the season, would be a player to be shopped.
If Nash is indeed moved on February 26th, here are five teams who may be interested in his services.
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues have been linked to Nash since the 2016 offseason, when Pat Leonard floated the idea that the Rangers could trade Rick Nash to St. Louis for Kevin Shattenkirk. The idea was that the Blues could move an expiring contract, a player the Rangers desperately needed on their blueline, for a big-bodied scorer that would help the Blues. This, of course, didn’t happen, and the Rangers signed Shattenkirk as a free agent this past July.
The Blues are off to a hot start this season, posting an 11-3-1 record so far, good for first place in the Central Division. They have gotten good scoring up and down the lineup, and could use another piece.
If the Blues keep up a similar winning pace, they will certainly be buyers at the trade deadline. The Rangers should absolutely take advantage of this, and see if St. Louis would still be interested in Nash.
The Rangers could most likely acquire a few prospects and/or picks for Nash. It would also give them some major cap relief, and allow them to commit even more to a youth movement.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are yet another team that is off to a hot start this season, going 10-2-2 so far. They have been scoring a lot this year, which is in stark contrast to their teams in the past, who have generally struggled to score.
Los Angeles is another team who should be buyers at the deadline. Nash would be a fantastic fit for them.
This wouldn’t be the first time that Los Angeles would be interested in Nash. Back in 2012, before he was dealt to the Rangers, the Kings were reportedly very interested in acquiring the Blue Jackets superstar. While this obviously did not happen, the interest was there.
Nash would most likely work well as a rental forward for Los Angeles, possibly serving as one of the final pieces to put this Kings team over the top in a quest for another Stanley Cup.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks were yet another team linked to Nash in the 2016 offseason. Anaheim defenseman Cam Fowler was the rumored piece coming back to New York. That deal never materialized, however. The Ducks are off to a rough start this season, going 6-6-2, which is second in the Pacific Division behind the Kings.
Anaheim has struggled to score so far, and Rick Nash could be exactly what they need. The Ducks are routinely buyers at the trade deadline, and a player with Nash’s ability to score may be too good to pass up for Anaheim.
While Nash has a very hefty price tag for such a short term, a team like the Ducks who are routinely in the playoff hunt, and are usually Stanley Cup contenders, could absolutely use Nash. The Rangers must be smart and take advantage.
If Anaheim was willing to part with a collection of picks/prospects, the Rangers would be very wise to listen to an offer.
San Jose Sharks
The Pacific Division apparently needs Rick Nash, as this is the third team from that division who is a possible fit for Nash. San Jose has put up a record of 8-5-0 to start the season, not bad but could be better.
San Jose has had trouble scoring so far, averaging 2.7 goals per game. Nash could help with this issue. Rumor has it that San Jose was also a potential destination for Nash when he wanted a trade out of Columbus.
Nash could help replace some of the speed and scoring that the Sharks lost when Patrick Marleau signed with Toronto. Nash is deceptively fast for his size, and this is something that the Sharks are missing. He is as complete a player as they come, and would greatly help the Sharks.
Another reason that San Jose is a fit for Nash is that he and Joe Thornton are close friends and former linemates for Team Canada at the Olympics, and also in Switzerland during the 2004-05 lockout and 2012-13 work stoppage. Nash and Thornton would make a formidable duo on a line in San Jose.
If the Rangers could pry, say, a second round pick and a prospect from San Jose, it would be wise of Jeff Gorton to send Rick Nash to the Sharks.
Nashville Predators
The 2017 Stanley Cup runners up are off to a tough start. They have gone 7-5-2 so far, third in the Central Division. The Predators have had a lot of trouble scoring as well, and this is where Rick Nash comes in.
Nashville is a team that could absorb Nash’s cap hit in the short term. They are still a win now team who could use a rental like Nash. He has a skill set that the Predators need. He is a big-bodied power forward, who can score goals and make plays. Nash also plays really well in all three zones.
Nash could do really well on a line with Ryan Johansen, and would add some depth to Nashville’s forward group. If the Rangers could pry away a pick and a prospect, it would be a win-win for both sides. The Rangers would get some cap relief and some more pieces to restock their farm system, and Nashville would get an uber-talented power forward with the ability to contribute to a possible Stanley Cup run.
Next: New York Rangers: Five potential replacements for Alain Vigneault
Rick Nash is an extremely talented player who any team would be lucky to have. If there is a contending team who feels that they are one player away from a Stanley Cup, the Rangers must listen to offers . If the Rangers keep playing well and feel that they are contenders come trade deadline day, they may keep him. Only time will tell. Either way, it will be interesting to see what the Rangers brass elects to do with him.