No to Nash

A Rick Nash trade would cripple the Rangers.

The Rangers are the best team in the Eastern conference through two-thirds of the season.  They have been relentless in their will to win and ability to hold a lead.  Led by Vezina frontrunner Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers defense and goaltending has been arguably the best in the league. 

Unfortunately their demise and weakness comes at a crucial point, the power play and goal scoring.  The Rangers have gone stretches where the power play has been successful, but there have been some large inconsistencies in the last month. This is where big Rick Nash comes in.  Arguably one of the best and most talented goal scorers in the game, Nash is currently playing on the worst team in the NHL.  He would be a huge asset to the team, and let me make it clear, I would LOVE Rick Nash in blue. Especially since he played on a line with Brad Richards for Canada, the two could be a lethal combination.

Rick Nash

Yet, we have to play The Price is Right now, and Bob Barker is no longer around to make it entertaining.  For Rangers fans like myself, it is nauseating. 

The first price is Brandon Dubinsky; he will definitely be a part of this trade if it happens.  After signing a new contract last year, Duby has not lived up to the expectations, with just six goals on the season.  As one of the most beloved Rangers, it will be tough to see him go, but he is expendable with Nash coming in. Personally I would send Anisimov instead of Duby, but its what Columbus asks for.

The next step is the prospects, a big concern in my book.   It was said that Columbus wants Chris Kreider, Tim Erixon, and JT Miller.  Those are three guys who cannot be touched, unless it was Steven Stamkos or Evgeni Malkin who were coming back.  I would send a package of Dubinsky, Wojtek, Wolski, Mats Zuccarello, Christian Thomas, Pavel Valentenko and a 1^st round pick.  If that doesn’t get the job done, then walk away Glen Sather.

Rangers Prospect Chris Kreider

Nash’s contract is one of the most expensive in the NHL, with a cap hit at  $7.8 million per year.  Combine that with the large contracts of Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards, and Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers would be devoting over 40% of their cap to four players.  That is an insane number to deal with, considering several important young players will need contracts in the next two years.  Some of those players include Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Del Zotto, and Carl Hagelin.

If Sather can work his magic and pull the trigger on this deal with the players mentioned in my trade, then go right ahead, we’ll figure out the cap trouble.  Under no circumstances do you trade Kreider, Erixon or JT Miller.