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New York Rangers: Rick Nash has been traded to the Bruins

By John Williams

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 17: New York Rangers Left Wing Rick Nash (61) after a whistle during second period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on February 17, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 17: New York Rangers Left Wing Rick Nash (61) after a whistle during second period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on February 17, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The former All-Star forward was dealt to the Bruins from the New York Rangers on Sunday morning in exchange for a boatload of assets.

Jeff Gorton and Don Sweeney must have each other on speed dial at this point. The general managers made their second deal in the last five days on Sunday. This one was the biggest, yet.

The New York Rangers traded forward Rick Nash to the Bruins (50 percent salary retained) in exchange for a 2018 first round pick, Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey (50 percent salary retained) prospect Ryan Lindgren and a 2019 seventh round pick.

That is quite the haul for a two month rental.

So in total, the Rangers have traded Nash, Nick Holden, and Michael Grabner for a 2018 1st, 2nd and 3rd, a 2019 7th, Yegor Rykov, Lindgren, Rob O’ Gara, Ryan Spooner, and Matt Beleskey.

Jeff Gorton has done a remarkable job.

Spooner is a 26-year-old winger played in parts of six seasons with Boston. He is in his third full season and has tallied nine goals and 16 assists in 39 games. He can play all three forward positions and is best suited for a middle-six role. The Rangers could either look to move him before the deadline or they could keep him till he hits UFA status after next season.

Beleskey has been buried in the AHL this season. He is nothing more than a salary dump. He could be an interesting fit on the fourth line for the time being.

Lindgren is nowhere close to being a top prospect but projects to be a solid third-pair, stay at home defender. The 2016 second-round pick plays a very physical brand of hockey. He is also a very good skater. Those two assets make him the prototypical defensive in today’s NHL. He currently plays for the University of Minnesota and is ways away from being NHL ready.

Quick thoughts

  • The Rangers really did a marvelous job here.
  • A lot of fans really wanted a top prospect, but I think this is a more than reasonable trade for the team to make.
  • A first-round pick and Lindgren, while being a bit underwhelming, would’ve been a fair deal.
  • Taking on Beleskey’s contract is a good move because even if the Rangers bury him in the AHL like Boston did, his cap hit would only be $900k.
  • Spooner could either be a long-term piece for their rebuild or they could flip him for a second-round pick. Time will tell, but it appears that his acquisition really puts this deal over the top.
  • Did the Rangers get a better package for him than Columbus did back in 2012? It’s quite possible.

Next: Should J.T. Miller be safe at the deadline?

  • The Rangers eating half of Nash’s contract for the rest of the season is fine. It’s off the books after this season. No harm, no foul.
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