Rich Nash chase over: Welcome No. 61
Remember back in February when Rick Nash---then of the Blue Jackets--- scored the tying goal in the third period at MSG and fans chanted "We Don't Want You"?
Well, many of them who were worried that top-level youngsters might be swapped for the five-time All-Star power forward probably will be singing a different tune today.
Yes, GM Glen Sather paid a price for Nash, 28: Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a No. 1 pick, but consider:
Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh, all of whom Columbus GM Scott Howson reportedly sought in exchange for the captain who wanted out of Ohio, remain in Blue. So does Michael Del Zotto.
The Rangers needed scoring and Nash, who asked to be traded and had the Rangers on his short list, has averaged 33 goals a season for the past seven years on a woeful team.
The initial $7.8 mil cap hit is almost a wash, with Dubinsky earning $4.2 mil per for the next three years and Anisimov at 1.8 for one more year before he becomes a restricted free agent, plus the cash saved in the recent signings.
The Rangers still have some $$$$ space for another forward, as well as an opportunity to employ a youngster such as J.T. Miller, so at this point, when Marian Gaborik is healthy, the lines could be....
Nash-Richards-Gaborik
Kreider-Stepan-Callahan
Hagelin-Boyle-Pyatt
Asham-Halpern-Rupp
Miller/Thomas.....
Nash should also pump up the PP: He's scored 6, 6, 10 with the man-advantage in the last three years in Columbus.
More when we talk to Sather and Nash in a few minutes....
