New York Rangers: If Rick Nash retires, he leaves a lot to be desired

The former New York Rangers winger is reportedly contemplating retirement due to a string of concussions throughout his career.

When the Rangers traded Rick Nash to the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline this past season, it was absolutely the right move. The team was clearly heading in the direction of a rebuild, and traded Nash for a package that included defense prospect Ryan Lindgren, and 26 year-old center Ryan Spooner.

However, it was still a tough pill to swallow. Number 61 was an ideal teammate, a fan-favorite, and a player who played a solid 200-foot game every single night. His effort and two-way game always gave the Rangers a boost and made him reliable in almost all situations.

Yet, is that really what he should be remembered for in a Rangers uniform since they acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012? After all, the 34 year-old was coming off a 30-goal season in 2011, and totaled 289 goals in 9 years in Ohio.

Mounting Injuries

One thing Nash will be remembered for is his inability to stay healthy. In 6 years with the Rangers, Nash hasn’t played all 82 games once. His most recent injury occurred in March with the Bruins where he missed the last few weeks of the regular season with concussion-like symptoms, which is what may wind up ending his career.

Nash’s agent, Joe Resnick, said he was undecided about his playing career despite heeding a lot of interest around the league.

His last notable head injury was back in 2013 when he was on the Injured Reserve. Since then, he’s also experienced injuries in his back, knee, and groin.

Playoff Problems

Outside of his injuries, the biggest knock on Nash was his performance in the playoffs. In 89 career playoff games, Nash has just 18 goals and 28 assists for 46 points. While that might not seem so bad, Nash’s ability as a goal-scorer makes him an easy target for fans when he’s not lighting the lamp on the biggest stage.

In the 2013-2014 playoffs, the year the Rangers made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs, Nash scored three goals in 25 games. The Rangers lost to the Los Angeles Kings in five games, but all games but one were decided in overtime or double overtime. A few more timely goals from Nash, and the story might’ve been written a little differently.

Nash’s checking ability and defensive awareness made him valuable on the penalty kill, and in close games. But the Rangers weren’t paying him $7.9 million to kill penalties. A player with a 6’4, 220 frame would usually thrive in the playoffs, but Nash never found out how to use his size to his advantage on a consistent basis.

Still Some Good Memories

In 2014-2015, the Rangers won the President’s Trophy thanks to 42 goals that season from Nash. His effort was admirable, and there was no harsher critic than himself when it came to his performance. “It tears at me,” Nash told the New York Post back in 2017 when questioned about his struggles.

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As he may near retirement, one has to wonder what will be the perception of Nash ten years from now. Will it be favorable? I think he’ll come up in a positive way in regards to Rangers fans, but there will always be that thought of what could’ve been. He’ll be remembered as a great Ranger, but if he reached his full potential, he might’ve had his name in the rafters as an all-time great.

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