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Grading the Rangers: Rick Nash

May 16, 2016, 11:00 PM ET [926 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
b>Blog parameters:

Each person covered will be given a rating. Factoring into that rating will of course be his performance but another input is going to be performance versus expectation coming into the season. Much of the background I likely covered in my tear down blogs, so don't expect massive chapter and verse but possibly some quick hitting information if not already covered in those blogs. In addition, to create some parameters, a player will have had to play 20 games to get a grade. Anything less means there isn't a representative sample for which to make a decision, so Brady Skjei and Marek Hrivik, to name two, will not get grades.

Here is where it gets really funky and interactive. I want you the reader to comment on the blog as to the rating. But not just hey I think you are right on or you are crazy but to provide your own rating and rationale for it. So if you agree with what I wrote, great, say that. But if the belief is the rating should be higher or lower, then you have to provide the rationale accordingly. Plus and minus grades are allowed to enable a broader opinion. Before the next blog, we will see if the blog comments consensus rating mirrors mine.

In addition, to shake it up, I will jump around a bit, so not all the players of the same rating are listed in a row, same with positions. So in the immortal words of Forrest Gump, you never know what you're going to get.

Covered in this blog: Rick Nash

This is what I wrote in Part III of my post-mortem and tear down blogs.

The big forward tallied just 15 goals in 60 games after posting 42 in 79 games last season. Nash missed 22 games, most of it were due to a knee injury, and struggled after his return to the lineup, tallying just three goals but seven assists in 24 games. His 15 goals and 21 assists were career-lows. In his first two years in New York, Nash scored 21 goals in 44 games in 2012-13 and 26 in 65 games in 2013-14.

Beyond the drop in production, the negatives against Nash include his vanishing act at times in the playoffs. In addition, Nash has two years left on his contract at $7.8 million per season; at the end of which he will be 34 years old. Nash's contract includes limited no-trade protection. He would have to name 10 to 12 teams he would approve a trade to if requested by general manager Jeff Gorton. Of course, that list might be malleable, as it might have originally included teams that now might be acceptable based upon changes in that organization the past few seasons. For example, and not saying this will happen or is the case, but let's say his no-trade list included Buffalo or Edmonton. If a team such as that needed a veteran presence, willing to play both ends of the ice and was willing to take on salary, each could be a decent landing spot. Again, I repeat, this is purely hypothetical and speculation of course is on him going to Toronto.

Interestingly enough, Nash has 18 points his last 24 playoff games, though five of those occurred in one game last year. Against Pittsburgh, with New York struggled to score, Nash had a hand in four of the 10 goals, tallying two goals and two assists in five games. He still plays both ends of the ice, and while the team's penalty kill regressed mightily, he can be a force there.

This won't be an easy decision. Nash brings a ton of intangibles, which will be attractive to suitors. Plus, I don't think he is washed out as a scorer. He will need to get in even better shape to deal with his increasing age. Nash's trade likelihood may well depend on what happens with G and/or Staal as well as Yandle. If one goes and cap space is created, then Nash likely stays. If not, then like Marian Gaborik, he could go to bring in pieces and create cap space, even if some money has to be eaten. Two years, even at that money, isn't completely unmanageable, but if the team opts to revamp and change the complexion of the team, Nash will be even more at risk, especially if his return wouldn't bring pennies on the dollar. One possible landing spot, as mentioned by others, is Toronto, especially if they miss out on Steven Stamkos. Nash would give the team a two-way veteran presence with a hard working attitude and leadership for the young kids like Nylander and Marner.


Overall Grade: C- (for all the issues Nash had this season - lack of scoring, struggles on the penalty kill - you know you will get a honest effort from him nightly. The production wasn't there but it wasn't again for the lack of effort. But this is a results-oriented business. One good season out of four isn't enough. Now many Nash needs to blend in and be a supporting player, but that's not why he was brought to NY, nor is it the role he needs to play if here. He knows he has to get better but that has been a prior refrain by him, so eventually it becomes the boy who cried wolf, as it's hard to believe him. Trading Nash while eating some salary if it brought back a Gaborik-like return, especially if one of the players brought in pans out like Derick Brassard, is likely the way to go. Effort is great and defensive responsible play is good as well, but lack of production is what drives the grade, especially for a first-line winger making $7.8 mil per season).

Players covered in prior blogs, My grade, Consensus Grade

Assistant Coaches - C/C
Dan Girardi D+/C or C-
Derick Brassard, B/ B+
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