Reader Email: Why The Rangers Need Rick Nash

 

Email from Mike (Staten Island): 

"Here we go again. The New York Rangers are salivating at the thought of adding Columbus Blue Jackets’ Rick Nash. And Columbus GM Scott Howson is salivating at the thought of raping the Rangers roster for the star winger. Sound familiar? See February NHL trade deadline if you think you’re having Déjà vu.

Back in February Howson was asking for Chris Kreider, Brandon Dubinsky, Carl Hagelin, and either Derek Stepan or Michael Del Zotto. Oh and a first round draft pick on the side. GO FUCK YOUR SELF! Rangers GM Glenn Sather was smart enough not to pull the trigger on that deal and decided to make a run at the cup with the King and the Kids.

I have no problem with Glenn Sather passing on that trade back in February. I was on that “We don’t need Nash” boat with all of you. And guess what….we fucking sank on it together. The Rangers scored 4 goals 1 time in 20 playoff games. To put that in perspective, the 2012 Stanley Cup Champion L.A Kings scored 4 or more goals in 9 out of their 20 games.  Can you guess what their record was in those games? 9 - 0. Who would have thought if youplay defense AND score goals you win!

Now it’s another summer of what ifs for the Rangers. And once again they are hot for Nash. And once again Howson is being a jerkoff and asking for the world for him. This time, I say go for it. Don’t give up Kreider (the only consistent scorer in the playoffs not wearing 19) or Stepan (Despite the lack of playoff production we need centers) but, if they want Duby, Hagelin, Anisimov, and Del Zotto I say give them to Columbus. I know I know where’s the loyalty? I’m a heartless piece of shit right? You think you might have felt a little better going into June if Nash was lighting the lamp over Marty’s head? I know I would have.

Bottom line is this…Nash is a scorer and the Rangers needed scoring. The Rangers don’t want Nash. They need him. With Gabby out until January the Rangers need goals. Through out his 9 year career Nash has averaged almost a point a game (.812 to be exact). He has scored 30+ in 7 of those 9 and 40+ in two of those. Nash is a talented player who wants to leave Ohio and take his talents elsewhere. Luckily, there is no hockey team in South Beach. If we are ever going to see Lundqvist raise the cup WE NEED Rick Nash. Hank is now in his 30s. He is in the prime of his career and still getting better. NOW is the time. Hank has carried this team since he arrived from Sweden as a 7^th round draft pick. Its time we get him the scoring he needs to win the cup.

While I’m a fan of all the young talent the Rangers have, I don’t think the Rangers or Lundqvist have the time to wait for them to fully mature. With Kreider emerging and Sauer likely due back by the fall we can afford to trade Hagelin and Del Zotto(who combined for a -7 in the playoffs). We can’t afford to waste another Vezina winning season waiting on the Kids. Go get Nash, put him on a line with Richards and Gaborik, and I guarantee we can all get shitfaced together on a sunny June morning as the Rangers parade up the Canyon of Heros."

Well said Mike, well said. I don't think you could have said it any better actually. Nobody wanted Nash this year and what happened in the playoffs? The Rangers couldn't put the puck in the net, which ended up ultimately being their demise. After the way they went out in the playoffs picking up a guy like Nash would send a message to the league that they're not fucking around this year and they're trying to win. Let's see if they can actually pull it off now.