New York Rangers Might Be Looking to Trade Rick Nash

There have been multiple media outlets reporting that the New York Rangers may look to deal all-star winger Rick Nash. The most recent report came from TSN’s Bob McKenzie which follows the report from legendary Rangers’ beat writer/pot-stirrer, Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

It’s no surprise that the media has jumped on the “trade Rick Nash” bandwagon. He and his Rangers just completed a disappointing season that ended with a game 7 shutout on home ice to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The sentiment is beginning to boil now that Rick Nash, owner of 378 regular season goals in his 12-year career, just isn’t cut out for the bright lights of playoff hockey, especially in New York. It’s tough to argue Nash collected 14 points in 19 playoff games this season, but half of those came in two games (games 4 and 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals) and only managed one shot on goal in the deciding game 7. Even with increased playoff success this season, Rick Nash still only has 32 points in 60 career playoff games, hardly the numbers you’re looking for when he’s eating up $7,800,000 in cap space.

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Despite his playoff shortcomings, people seem to forget that Rick Nash is still a pretty good hockey player. He finished second in the league with 42 goals scored this season and posted a gaudy +29 rating. His defensive play has improved drastically and is a regular contributor to one of the league’s best penalty kill units. Yes, he’s not the most physical player out there, but he’s also not some mediocre talent that can’t produce. It’s just that his production seems to dry up significantly when needed most…

So is the answer to trade him (let’s assume he’d waive his no-trade clause)? He has three years remaining on his contract, so any team acquiring him would have his services for the immediate future without worrying about re-negotiating a deal. He carried the Rangers for stretches on offense this season, especially early on when the team was still trying to find its way which even led to some discussions about Nash being a possible Hart nominee. He has the ability to dominate a game, even if it rarely shows in the playoffs.

There are legitimate reasons to try and trade him: he turns 31 this year, so in theory he’s closer to the end of his prime than the beginning. Who knows how many more 42 goal seasons he has left in the tank. The Rangers are in a difficult position with the salary cap. According to my math and spotrac.com, they have over $61 million committed towards the cap next season which doesn’t include restricted free agents Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, J.T. Miller, and Jesper Fast, who I assume the organization would like to retain. Fitting them all under the cap may be tough, but if you free up Rick Nash’s contract, it becomes a heck of a lot more feasible. Oh, and have I mentioned that Rick Nash has bombed in the playoffs, yet?

Let’s assume the Rangers want to cut ties with Rick Nash and attempt to trade him. The question then becomes: what is the return? I don’t think the Rangers are looking for a bunch of draft picks and prospects in return for their biggest offensive force (with goalie Henrik Lundqvist at 33-years old, how many more seasons of elite play can he provide before his body begins to wear down?) So in theory, you’re looking for someone who can make-up for those lost 42 goals.

The St. Louis Blues keep being mentioned as a potential suitor. So, which player from this merry-band of playoff under-achievers are you looking to acquire for your all-star winger? T.J. Oshie? Sure, he had a nice Olympic moment, but he has never scored more than 21 goals in a season and his playoff performances make Rick Nash look “clutch” in comparison. David Backes? Okay, maybe a little better, but he is the same age as Nash and only has one year remaining on his contract before he’ll look to cash in again. Possibly Jaden Schwartz? Yes, he’s significantly younger and cheaper than Nash, and just posted a 28-goal season. If the Blues are looking to shake up the team, Schwartz isn’t the guy you look to move, especially for a playoff bust like Rick Nash.

You can go through a number of teams and concoct wild trade scenarios involving Rick Nash. The fact is the Rangers are trying to win now and have mortgaged a good chunk of their future to do so (no first round pick in 2015 and 2016…last first round pick was in 2012). They need quality players for Rick Nash now, not later. Unless you’re getting another team’s “problem,” chances are slim that you’ll obtain anywhere close to equal value if you trade him now.

If the organization is worried about re-signing all its restricted free agents and adding pieces in unrestricted free agency, there are other ways to make the salary cap work. The Rangers’ defense is star-studded and widely regarded as one of the best units in all of hockey. Of course with that comes a hefty price tag. They could look to move Jurassic Dan Boyle and his $4,500,000 cap hit to free up room or even consider moving one of their mainstays- Dan Girardi or Marc Staal– in an effort to free up cap space. With an all-world goalie behind them, does the organization need to devote that much resources to the defense?

Or if the team is hell-bent on maintaining the defense, perhaps you squeeze out Hagelin instead who will see a raise from his current $2,250,000 salary. Is the third-liner who put up two assists in his last 14 playoff games worth over $3,000,000 a year? Can you imagine the uproar if a team traded away its best offensive weapon just to sign a couple of third-liners like Hagelin and Fast? I’m rooting for this just to hear Ranger fans complain next year when they can’t score more than two goals a game in December and are wondering aloud what’s wrong with Carl Hagelin.

The verdict: stand pat with Rick Nash and hope he’ll snap out of his playoff funk and hope the younger kids develop. Beyond the point totals, he did play better this post-season than he has in the past. It still isn’t good enough for a player of his ability, but it was a step in the right direction. And while fans (deservedly) get on Nash for his playoff failures as a reason for the Rangers’ exit, his line was dominant in game 6 to stave off elimination in Tampa, and no one outside of his line did anything offensively the last four games. And if Lundqvist doesn’t play a horrific game 3 capped off by allowing a beer-league goal in overtime, we’re probably talking about the Rangers making back-to-back Cup Finals. But the media treats “the King” with kid gloves, so people keep conveniently forgetting about that performance.

It’s been an eventful three seasons with the Rangers for Rick Nash. If general manager Glen Sather wants to do what’s best for his team, he’d allow Nash to come back for a fourth. Sather has an uncanny ability to work magic with the cap, so if he can finagle it and add one more legitimate offensive weapon while keeping Nash, the Rangers should be back in the Cup hunt again next season.

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