He said “I like both for different reasons. Left, I like coming out of my own end with my stick protecting me. And right, I like having my stick in the middle to shoot and protecting the puck. Over my career I’ve been bounced back and forth so many times it really doesn’t matter.”
The Rangers have Carl Hagelin and Chris Kreider as left wings and Marian Gaborik (injured) and Ryan Callahan at right wing.
Adam Rotter: Different lines and different situations will dictate which side Nash plays on, but it’s good to know that he is comfortable with both. I would think that he will either start on Brad Richards’ right wing and Carl Hagelin on the left.
According to Bruce Garrioch in the Ottawa Sun, the Senators offered Columbus goalie Robin Lehner, winger Nick Foligno and 2011 first round pick Mika Zibanejad for Rick Nash.
Nash refused to accept a deal to Ottawa and the Blue Jackets subsequently acquired Foligno.
Garrioch writes that the Blue Jackets accepted the Rangers package of Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a first round pick because “didn’t want this to drag on any longer.”
He also notes that Scott Howson didn’t want to trade Nash to another Western Conference team and that center Joe Pavelski was a player that the Blue Jackets could have had.
Adam Rotter: To me, Howson got two good players who will help his team this coming season and a very good young defenseman in Tim Erixon. It wasn’t the “home run” he wanted to hit, which is why the media killed him, but its’ a good enough haul for a player who wanted out. Pavelski would have been a better get for them, but the idea of Columbus not wanting to keep him out West adds to the belief that the only way the Sharks were going to get Nash was if they moved Logan Couture. Same situation with the Red Wings, a division rival who made a “hell of an offer.” Howson had to hit a home run and get young stars if he had to see Nash four or six times a season.
Rick Nash's legacy with the #CBJ: He played in five All-Star Games and four playoff games.— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 23, 2012
On Nash, Portzline wrote in early July “The sense among NHL executives is that Nash will return to his dominating ways when he gets traded, that the weight of the franchise had taken a toll on him.”
Eddie Olcyzk said of Nash “Teams should be licking their chops to get this guy in their lineup. He has a chance to be a top-three goal-scorer in the league. Somebody is going to hit a grand slam with this guy.”
Rick Nash is a physical force-he has missed just 19 gms and averaged 35 goals per yr over last 5 seasons. Ranger fans will embrace his play.— John Giannone (@jaygeemsg) July 23, 2012
Gianone adds “Just how productive is Nash? In last 5 yrs, Nash would’ve ranked 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 1st & 1st on NYR in goals. And that was with bad CBJ teams.”
How different was this proposal was this from the early ones? “I don’t like to talk about things that didn’t happen, I would prefer to make comments on the player or the players that left NY. It took a long time, I will talk about that.”
On Nash “We are happy to have a five time goal scorer who is 28 years old. He is one of the best goal scorers in the NHL and will help us immensely. These things take time to happen and it was difficult for us to trade the guys we did. I think it’s a fair trade for both sides.”
The Rest of Glen Sather and Rick Nash’s comments are below
Rick Nash said he's heard from #NYR GM Glen Sather, coach John Tortorella and players Henrik Lundqvist, Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan.#CBJ— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 23, 2012
The Rangers have traded Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a first round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Rick Nash.
The Rangers are also going to receive a third round pick and a minor league defenseman.
Brandon Dubinsky tweets “I would like to thank all of my fans and the city of New York for everything! My 8 years being part of the NYR have been magical. Thank you!”
Mike Rupp tweets “All the best to @BDubi17 a true gamer! Never takes a night off! #soldier”
Mike Rupp tweets “@Anisimov42 great cellies! enjoyed getting to ya bud!”
Mike Rupp tweets “Future 1st rounder… No face to go with you, but I’m sure you will be swell!”
Good luck @Anisimov42 @BDubi17 and Timmy! Dubi, I'll never forget our first preseason lunch at Applebees 7 years ago.. Who knew..#Rookieyear— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) July 23, 2012
3:58PM: The Rangers have sent through their press release announcing the deal.
3:40PM: McKenzie tweets that the deal is official and breaks down as:
Rangers acquire: Rick Nash, Steve Delisle and a conditional third round pick. (Pick goes back to CBJ if the Rangers make the Stanley Cup Final)
Columbus acquires: Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a first round pick.
3:37PM: Dreger tweets “Howson managed this trade his way, but the components of this deal were availabe at the deadline and again at the Draft.”
3:33PM: Portzline notes that the defenseman the Rangers acquired is Steve Delisle. He is 22, a former fourth round pick, and played 38 games in the ECHL last season.
Rick Nash is listed by the NHL as a Left Wing but said during his meeting with the media on Wednesday that he doesn’t mind playing on the right side and that both sides have different advantages.
