N.Y. Rangers ~ Blueshirts Land Rick Nash

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Brandon Dubinsky ~ New York Rangers

2006/2007 - 2011/2012

NEW YORK RANGERS:  After Decades of Searching, the Blueshirts Finally Captured the Elusive Anti-Smurf.


The Rangers have their man.  He cost them a very popular player in Brandon Dubinsky, another gamely young center in Artem Anisimov, defensive prospect Tim Erixon, and a 2013 first round draft pick.  In exchange, Rick Nash will now don a Blueshirt.


Many feel he is the missing piece that will get the Rangers over the top.  But more significant are the pieces the Rangers did not send packing for Columbus in order to complete the deal.  Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, and Chris Kreider are all still Rangers.  Had the Rangers pulled the trigger on this deal at last season's trade deadline, the trade would have cost the Rangers substantially more.  Instead, they now have their cake, and can eat it too.


This is the second time Glen Sather recently showed excellent patience and didn't act in haste to reel in an impact player.  He landed free agent Brad Richards with patience, and has now acquired Rick Nash, albeit in a trade, through patience as well.  The Rangers are now well stocked with all the pieces they need to surround these two centers.


Rick Nash is exactly the kind of player the Rangers have needed for decades. Think tough, think scorer, and think championship!  That's right, I said it.  He is the anti-Smurf.  He's big, immovable in front of the net, and can put the puck in goal with consistency.  He's not a one dimensional player.  He's a total package play making centerman.  He will also be accountable on defense and play it with tenacity.


I'm very sorry to see Brandon Dubinsky go however.  He was part of the original group Coach Tortorella identified and decided to move forward with.  Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, and Henrik Lundqvist formed the initial core that has delivered us to this day.  Brandon Dubinsky will go down as one of the most popular Rangers ever.  And I'm sure we will remind him of that the first time he returns to Madison Square Garden next season.


But make no mistake, I am excited to have Rick Nash on board.  He fits in extremely well here.  Rangers fans, we finally have a player like Nick Fotiu again, but one who can score on a regular basis.  The puck on next season can't drop soon enough for me.


Let's Go Rangers!




Mike.BTB