Rick Nash could be available this summer.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said he thinks the New York Rangers are willing to move the former 40-goal scorer under the right scenario, during his Saturday’s Headlines segment. (H/T Rory Boylen of Sportsnet for transcribing.)
“You’re going to hear a lot of wild rumours this year George [ Stroumboulopoulos], I think this is going to be a crazy season for them and one of the first to hit is Rick Nash of the New York Rangers,” Friedman said. “He has a 12-team list that he can be dealt to and there seems to be a little bit of smoke to this one. I think they’ve been asked. I think they’d be willing to do it under the right circumstances.
“However, there’s a couple things here. No. 1, he’s got a $7.8 million cap hit for two more seasons — how would that work? And No. 2 , while he struggled this year the Rangers really defended him. They felt that Nash played hurt and that affected his totals and I think they do look at it and say if he’s healthy next year he could be much more effective. But he’s going to be a name and the Rangers are going to be a team to watch.”
As Friedman mentions, Nash is owed more than $15 million over the next two years, so trading him won’t be a piece of cake.The 31-year-old had one of his best career seasons in 2014-15 with 42 goals for the New York Rangers. Unfortunately, the success didn’t continue into this season. Nash scored just 15 goals and 36 points in 60 games for the Rangers while dealing with injury issues.
The cash-strapped Rangers would clear considerable cap room if they trade his contract off the books and could probably land a decent return in the process. Still, the idea of trading Nash, a bonafide goal scorer, is risky.
