Rick Nash: I've dealt with pressure, the spotlight
Then-Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash (61) watches a face off during the third period of a game against the Rangers. (Feb. 19, 2012) Credit: AP
Try as I may, I don't see why the Rangers No. 61 won't flourish here, unless he's injured.
Nash was much more relaxed than the last time he met the dreaded New York media, on that February visit to the Garden when he was clearly trying to not alienate anybody at a potential destination.
Today at the MSG Training Center, Nash was polished, but not slick; confident, but not overboard.
Here's some selected excerpts (you see a lot more elsewhere, including video) and a link to where my story, with more, for tomorrow's paper should be posted soon.....http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=71BF54B42DD4D94EFF2A.3249?site=newsday&view=sports
Did the the Blue Jackets ever ask to include more teams on his trade list: “I put my time in and got the contract I did and I felt like I wanted to go to a team that could compete for a great record and one of the best teams in the league and that’s the situation I wanted to put myself into.”
On how he fits in here: “It’s a big, fast team, some of the wingers, guys like (Mike) Rupp and (Brian) Boyle, they can do it all and play fast and I think I kind of fit into that. It’s going to be fun playing in the East as well, with all the rivalries and all the close games. Any role they ask me to play I’ll try to do my best at that.”
On concern about a CBA roadblock that will delay the season: “Someone asked me that last night. I was like, 'Won’t you guys let me take in this trade, I can’t think of that too.' It’s a tough way to be in right now but all my focus is here and on this trade. I’m sure in the next few weeks I’ll start thinking about that a lot more because it is a serious and tough situation.”
On who has contacted him: "Lundqvist, Callahan, Staal and obviously I’ve known Richie (Brad Richards) for a while."
