New York Rangers: Rick Nash’s trade value coming full circle

Rick Nash’s arrival, tenure, and eventual departure from the New York Rangers have all been exciting. If the Rangers follow through and decide to sell before this year’s deadline, Nash’s value to the team could be higher than ever imagined.

Rick Nash is easily the biggest trade chip for the New York Rangers. Tons of judgment will be passed on the potential return package the team will receive. However, in order to properly evaluate his value, one must take a look at what it took to acquire Nash in the first place.

Back in 2012, Glen Sather was looking to acquire an impact player prior to the upcoming season. The deal was a long time coming, as Columbus and New York had been communicating since prior to the trade deadline.

When all was said and done, the deal included five players and two draft picks. Columbus was receiving a rather large overhaul of young Rangers. Centers Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, as well as defenseman Tim Erixon, would don the Columbus jersey. They also received a first-round pick in the 2013 draft, which they later turned into Kerby Rychel.

On the other end, New York received Rick Nash, Steven Delisle, and a conditional third-round pick. The latter two were throw-ins for all intents and purposes.

At the time, the price seemed steep for the Rangers. However, this was a team constantly looking for a piece to push them into the league’s elite. Rick Nash was exactly that and more during his time as captain of the Blue Jackets.

Related Story: New York Rangers: accepting the moment of truth

Post-trade value

For Columbus, Dubinsky became a useful piece, serving as alternate captain. Anisimov was serviceable during his time in Columbus, but his services now reside in Chicago. However, durability has been a concern for both players since the trade.

Erixon had his cup of tea at the NHL level but never became a regular. Similarly, Rychel has played just 39 games on an NHL roster.

Meanwhile, Rick Nash has appeared in 371 games with the Rangers since the start of the 2012-13 season. In his first season, Nash was nearly a point per game player, recording 44 points in the lockout-shortened 48-game season. He also registered a team-leading 42 goals in the 2014-15 season. His other three seasons under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden have been cut short by injuries.

Related Story: New York Rangers: Five positives about the current situation

Nash as a difference maker

While Nash has not always had a clean slate of health, he has always been a gamer. When the Rangers need a player to carry them offensively, Nash consistently answered their call. At the other end of the ice, scoring droughts have always been palatable thanks to his superb play in the defensive end.

The 33-year old winger has also settled in as a part of the Rangers’ leadership group. He is an elder statesman to provide guidance for the team’s relatively youthful forward group.

To say that Nash has been a stabilizing presence would be undervaluing how important he has been since joining this franchise.

Now, the time has come for Nash’s value to come in a different way. With the Rangers ready to sell, he could be the single most valuable asset for contending teams heading into the season’s final stretch.

For all that he has brought to the Rangers’ lineup over the last six seasons, Nash could be a part of something even bigger at this year’s trade deadline. He should be able to fetch GM Jeff Gorton a top-tier prospect, as well as a high pick in next year’s draft.

His departure would jumpstart what will be a true rebuild on the fly by the New York Rangers. Nash’s value is even more intriguing to the Rangers because the chance remains he returns to the team on a new, team-friendly deal next offseason.

Only time will tell how this year’s trade deadline will play out. Needless to say, Nash is likely to be shipped out of town. However, he is likely to hold value to the Rangers beyond this season.

Next: Five trades that got NYR in this mess

Whether it be in the form of future prospects or his potential return is yet to be seen. Perhaps the best case scenario for the Rangers and fans is a little of both.