Kukla's Korner Hockey
Rick Nash Could Be The Difference Maker For The Rangers
by Paul on 07/29/12 at 09:59 AM ET
Comments (2)
from Steve Zipay of Newsday,
Now 28, Nash, a distinguished winger with a resume that includes five All-Star appearances, an Olympic gold medal and seven seasons of between 30 and 41 goals, is a Blueshirt, acquired in the hope that he can be the missing piece for a gritty team that advanced to the Eastern Conference finals last season.
“This changes the complexion of our team,” Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather said. “You don’t get a chance to make a deal like this very often.”
Sather isn’t alone in that assessment.
“Where do you find a 6-4, 235-pound guy with hands, who can skate, is entering his prime, with limited miles on him—although every night he was the No. 1 focus, tightly checked, man-on-man, because teams knew if you shut down Rick Nash, you beat Columbus?” asked Doug MacLean, who drafted Nash first overall in 2002 and was the Blue Jackets’ general manager from 1998 to 2007. “Now people are telling me he’s overrated. Are you serious?”
Don’t be fooled by the low-key demeanor, said MacLean, who compared Nash’s personality—and development—to former Red Wing and Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman. “Quiet guys do their talking on the ice,” MacLean said. “When Stevie was captain, and I was in Detroit, at first he struggled a bit, but he matured and as he was surrounded by better players, he went to another level.”
more (normally a paid sub., but this one doesn’t appear to be)...
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: rick+nash
Comments
I like how MacLean calls nearly 700 NHL games ‘not many miles’. Filppula’s roughly the same age and has played more than 200 fewer NHL regular season games.
Then again, MacLean is an idiot. So there’s that.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 07/29/12 at 07:50 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Tortorella- “We Need To Go Win A Game”
Team Sweden Wins World Championship Gold
Only Ottawa Cheering For Ottawa
Two Eastern Conference Playoff Games On The NHL Schedule Today
Once Again, The Bigger Ice Debate
Hockey Talks On A Sunday Morning
Quick Could Face League Discipline
How About Some New Rules And Torres Talk Too
Sharks’ OT win avoids 3-0 deficit, aggravates Kings, Jonathan Quick
About Kukla's Korner Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at pk@kuklaskorner.com
hahahahaha this ought to turn out well MacLean Comparing Nash to Yzerman
Posted by Evilpens on 07/29/12 at 10:49 AM ET