N.Y. Rangers: Rick Nash Has Entered The Building

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Rick Nash Spearheads Victory Over Flyers;

Rangers Regain Top Eight Standing.

New York Rangers: If nothing else, the trade to acquire Rick Nash also gave us Pavel Buchnevich.

Buchnevich came via the Blue Jackets' 2013 3rd round draft pick ...

Much was expected of the now 33-year old Rick Nash, who is in the final year of his contract with the Rangers.

At this point, nothing short of winning a Cup will change his New York narrative.

Watching Rick Nash play for the Columbus Blue Jackets, I remember thinking at the time he was exactly what the Rangers so desperately needed - a big, physical, top line scorer.  And upon his acquisition, I was sure he was going to start throwing his body around, and get this team over the top.

I also recall Blue Jackets fans saying, "You'll be sorry."

What?

Here I am thinking the Rangers finally landed their man, and Columbus fans are offering Nash a lift to the airport?

Granted, he only made the playoffs once (2008-2009) during his nine seasons with the Blue Jackets, and they wound up getting swept in the first round by the Detroit Red Wings.  For his part, Rick Nash registered a goal and two assists in four games.

Over his nine seasons with the Blue Jackets, he averaged 74 games, 32 goals/28 assists/60 points.

Therefore, I wasn't interested in their dismay.


His first and third seasons with New York are his best as a Ranger to date:

• (2012-2013) 44 games; 21 goals; 21 assists; 42 points.
• (2014-2015) 79 games; 42 goals; 27 assists; 69 points.

However, the rest of his work has indeed left much to be desired:

• (2013-2014) 65 games; 26 goals; 13 assists; 39 points.
• (2015-2016) 60 games; 15 goals; 21 assists; 36 points.
• (2016-2017) 67 games; 23 goals; 15 assists; 38 points.

Since his arrival no other Ranger has taken more shots on goal.  Yet, it's been little Mats Zuccarello leading this team in points in three of the last four seasons, and leading again this year.  I love me some MatsZucs, but that shouldn't be the case with Nash on the roster.

With Columbus, Nash also averaged 9.2 power play goals per season (double-digit ppg four times; led NHL in 2003-2004 with 19 ppg).  He averaged just 4.6 ppg during his first five seasons with the Rangers, and so far this season has only two.

Then there's the playoffs ...

The Rangers have qualified for the post-season in each of Rick Nash's first five seasons with the Rangers.  Unfortunately, when they've needed his scoring most, he's been at his most ineffective.  Sadly, his post-season line reads no differently than any of his three least productive seasons with the Rangers.

• 73 playoff games: 14 goals/24 assists/38 points.

With a pair of goals against the Flyers on Tuesday, Rick Nash helped the Rangers slam the brakes on their three game skid, and avoid a further drop in the Eastern Conference standings.  On a personal note, it was Rick's first goal since scoring on Dec. 15 against the Kings.  What followed was a ten game stretch in which he failed to score even a single point.  Finally, he registered an assist this past
Saturday against the Islanders.

After playing quite literally pointless hockey since Dec. 16, Nash now has three points in his last three games.  He is now tied for eighth on the team with 20-points.

I wouldn't say I'm sorry.  I wanted Rick Nash in a Rangers uniform two years before the trade was even made.  He is still a good hockey player, whom does everything else quite well.  I'm not taking that away from him.  His career as a Ranger is no less ponderous, though.  So let's just call it being really disappointed.

Maybe what I perceive as gross underachievement is really just dumb-luck.

Maybe not ...