When it broke earlier this season that the Buffalo Sabres were looking for three if not four assets in exchange for Evander Kane, many people scoffed at the idea. How would a players signed only for the rest of this season be worth that much, regardless of how skilled he was?
Well that price has popped up again, this time in regards to New York Rangers forward Rick Nash. Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that a first-round pick, top prospect and a lesser pick/prospect is currently the ask for Nash, but notes that many league executive think this is an exorbitant price. Instead, McKenzie believes that Nash’s eventual market will resemble that of Martin Hanzal last season, who was acquired for essentially a 2017 first-round pick and 2018 second-round pick.
It’s important to note though that Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold went on the record saying he regretted supporting that deal, after his team was bounced early from the playoffs by a hot Jake Allen-led St. Louis Blues team. Arizona would eventually select Pierre-Olivier Joseph with Minnesota’s pick at #23, a dynamic puck moving defenseman that the Wild would certainly love to have in their system.
Though Nash isn’t a center like Hanzal, he does provide some of the same things with his size and defensive responsibility. The 33-year old winger comes with a hefty cap hit and diminishing offensive talents, but will still be sought after at the deadline. New York will be looking for the best return available, and why not start by asking for the moon.
Price is definitely high for a 33 year old winger that has struggled in his prior playoff appearances
A top prospect and top pick for a couple of months of a reclining Rick Nash? Good luck.
I had no idea he was so laid-back
Trade Phanuef for Nash. Crap contracts for everyone!!!!
Lol there’s no value there for the Rangers. At least Nash is an expiring contract so worst case scenario, his cap hold is freed from the books at the end of the year. Phaneuf still has years left on his contract. A contract swap like this would definitely be the type to garner something close to the return that the Rangers are asking for.
The price is definitely too high for Nash, but considering the haul Hanzal garnered last year, something similar doesn’t seem that crazy. I mean Hanzal has only played 80+ games once in his career and finished with 40+ points only twice in ten seasons. While Nash plays the less premium position, Nash at least comes with a track record of production (albeit with little production the last few years) and can still contribute on the PK and in a PP2 role.
Nash is washed up. I’d maybe give a 5th round pick for him. Maybe.
If he didn’t have such a high cap hit, that would be a good deal. He’s no longer a top line winger, but he’s a more than capable middle-six winger. His defensive game has really evolved since going to NY so he can be a really good PK option and his offensive history at least makes him a potential option on a PP2 unit.
My guess is they may be able to squeeze a 1st and lesser prospect or 3rd but certainly not 2 picks and a top prospect. that essentially is the price for Kessel and he had term and was younger.