Earlier this season, the New York Rangers made trades at the in-season deadline that moved some of their former core players to other NHL teams. Rick Nash was one of these handful of players.
Rick Nash finished the remainder of his 2017-18 season with the Boston Bruins. The Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the Bruins from the playoff race on Sunday in game six.
In his time with the Rangers, Nash established himself as a veteran leader on New York’s roster and was always a great offensive threat for the team. However, as the season progressed, it seemed more and more likely that moving Nash at the deadline was going to be a reality.
With his contract up at the end of the season and the fact that he went on a great run in his final months in New York, the winger basically sealed his fate.
Now that Nash is set to hit the unrestricted free agent market, should the Rangers to try to bring him back to New York?
The Reasoning
In his prime, Nash was known for his skill and his goal-scoring ability. And the Rangers were lucky enough to have him for a number of these years.
During the 2014-15 season, Nash recorded 69 points (42 goals, 27 assists) with the Rangers. However, this was the only truly stand out season he had points wise.
Since this is what Nash was on the roster to do, he received a good deal of criticism — especially because of his high price tag.
It’s true that when you are paid to be on a roster to be an elite goal scorer, you should score goals. And relative to the amount of money the Rangers were paying Nash, he did not score enough goals.
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However, Nash was present every single game and plays a top-notch 200-foot game. There was never a day where he didn’t have some kind of impact on the outcome of games, whether it be offensively or defensively.
So while the Rangers were right in moving Nash when they did, if presented with the opportunity, they should make an effort to get him back.
With Nash hitting free agency, he is a safe choice as the Rangers look to add more talent to the roster. Management can rest assured knowing that Nash is an asset that is a good fit on the roster.
With the changes that occurred in season, and with more change likely to come to this offseason, adding someone like Nash — whose style of play, scoring ability, and established veteran presence has already played a role on the roster — would give the Rangers some reassurance.
The Catch
But, of course, the Rangers should pick him up only if the price (and length of contract) is right.
If the Rangers could agree to a reasonable contract for the 32-year-old (maybe something like two years 3.5-4 million AAV) I think it would be well worth it for the Rangers.
In addition, as the trade deadline approached, Nash made it clear that if it were up to him he’d like to stay in New York. If they choose to pursue him, this could give the team a one up over other parties that may be interested in Nash (and who are willing to spend for him).
All of this also depends on how the Rangers proceed with the plethora of restricted free agents they have, and what resources, if any, they choose to trade for picks in the draft.
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Regardless of what happens, one thing is for sure: the Rangers have an opportunity to get Nash for a good deal.
With uncertainty ahead, having talent you know will work in your system can’t hurt.