It was wondered a few weeks ago whether Brad Richards was the best option to be Rick Nash’s center since they are both players who need the puck to have an impact.

In the NY Post yesterday Larry Brooks wrote “The creation of chemistry between Nash and Brad Richards shouldn’t prove as painstaking as the process a year ago with Richards and Gaborik. The power winger’s game is more elementary than Gaborik’s nuanced approach.”

Justin Bourne of Backhand Shelf also thinks that Richards and Nash will work well together “I think Nash will still work with Richards because they could be so dangerous in transition. Nash is a threat when he gets those big stems going, and I think Richards should be able to get him the puck for more (or better) rush opportunities.”

Adam Rotter: The idea of a real powerful top line with Nash on the left and Ryan Callahan on the right is very appealing. Nash likes to go to the net and Ryan Callahan makes his living scoring goals and knocking in rebounds close to the crease. While that line would have power, a second line of Derek Stepan between Chris Kreider and Marian Gaborik would open up all sorts of offensive opportunities and chances to stretch the ice.