Report: Rick Nash traded to New York Rangers
It seems one of the top names on the NHL trade market has finally found a new home. Darren Dreger of TSN reported via Twitter Monday that Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash will take off the blue jacket and put on the blue shirt as he is headed to the New York Rangers in exchange for Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a first-round pick.
Nash originally asked for a trade during the 2011-12 season, but the Blue Jackets were unable to find a suitable deal for their star right winger by the in-season trade deadline. Nash reportedly gave Columbus GM Scott Howson a list of six teams he would be willing to be traded to, and the Rangers have been rumored to be on that list.
The Blue Jackets drafted Nash with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2002 NHL Draft, and Nash was named team captain in 2008. He is a five-time All-Star and has scored at least 30 goals in seven of his nine career NHL seasons. Nash’s numbers are particularly impressive considering he collected them with one of the worst teams in hockey and thus did not have a lot of help when it came to point-scoring.
Both Dubinsky and Anisimov are NHLers who have spent their entire career with the Rangers. Dubinsky looked to be an exciting player for the Rangers when he recorded at least 40 points in each of his first four seasons in New York, but he trailed off in 2011-12, scoring just 10 goals and 24 assists. Anisimov, a young forward who at times shows potential, is known more for his gun-shooting goal celebration last season than his offensive talents. Erixon is a rising defense prospect who played in 18 games with the Rangers last season. The Rangers were able to avoid trading young prospects Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan, who were both rumored to be possible trade pieces for the Rangers.
Kreider, a 21-year-old Boxford native who played for Phillips Academy and Boston College, joined the Rangers for the end of the 2011-12 season after he helped the BC Eagles to their third NCAA title in the last five years. Kreider won the NCAA title twice and the Beanpot three times while at BC. The 22-year-old Stepan has played two seasons for the Rangers, collecting 96 points in 164 games.
Nash has six years remaining on a contract that will pay him $7.8 million annually.
