The Rangers have made some questionable trades over the past ten years. The trades have come with varying degrees of success.
Sunday morning, Many New York Rangers fans woke up to find out that the team had traded Rick Nash to the Boston Bruins. The Rangers acquired five pieces in exchange for just a rental in Nash. Those pieces included a first round pick this season, prospect Ryan Lindgren, Ryan Spooner, and Matt Beleskey who is likely to remain buried in the minor leagues. Jeff Gorton pulled off a work of magic by acquiring that many assets for one rental player.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have acquired a first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, defenseman Ryan Lindgren, forwards Ryan Spooner and Matt Beleskey, and a seventh-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft from the Bruins in exchange for Rick Nash.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 25, 2018
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In the short-term
The short-term benefits of this trade really boil down to two parts. The acquisition of forward Ryan Spooner and a first-round pick this season will make the most immediate impact on the roster. In just his first game as a Ranger, Spooner put up two assists against the Detroit Red Wings.
The 2018 first round pick will more than likely be in the latter third of the first round. Despite Spooner’s quick start, he may not be in the team’s long-term plans. There is a very real possibility the Rangers trade his rights for a mid or late round pick. With extreme center depth, the Rangers could stand to lose a center without having issues.
With a group of centers including:
- Mika Zibanejad
- Kevin Hayes
- Filip Chytil
- Lias Andersson
- Vladislav Nemestnikov
- Ryan Spooner
- Boo Nieves
Related Story: JT Miller and Ryan McDonagh traded to Tampa Bay
In the long-term
There are a few long-term downsides to making the trade. To lead off, the Rangers moved one of their best players in Nash. Although he never truly lived up to the billing as an elite goal scorer, he was an elite two-way player.
The forward only surpassed 40 points in two of his six seasons as a Ranger. Nash only played more than 67 games once, that 42 goal season in which the Rangers won the President’s Trophy.
The positive result of this trade is largely related to the potential of “re-structuring” the contract of Rick Nash. He is simply a rental to the Boston Bruins for the time being. Nash has mentioned both his son and his own deep love for the city of New York.
"“Every time he sees a goal, he starts singing the song. It’s tough, but it’s the reality. It’s the business side of it, Nash said, Sometimes these things don’t happen and we can move on and everything will be great — I can stay a Ranger, live in New York and it’s the best, I haven’t been to that thought process just yet.”"
The youth acquired in this trade includes defenseman Ryan Lindgren. Lindgren is a 20-year-old who has played for the University of Minnesota and the US National Development program. The defenseman is several years away from reaching the NHL but could eventually develop into a middle pair defenseman.
Next: Rick Nash traded to the Bruins
This deal is not the deal that will make or break the Rangers rebuild. Moving Nash’s expiring contract for several parts was a savvy business decision and a deal a team should make every time. The development of Lindgren and what the first round pick are used for will ultimately determine the success of the trade.