Bruins4Ever said:
Really?!? Thornton, Lecavalier, Richards, Kovalchuk, Heatley, Hossa, Iginla? I'd trade him for any of those players most likely.
They're all very good players so I understand how you can see it that way.
I'm not going to lie to you and say I'm sure I would be taking the right decision but I feel I couldn't give up Nash straight up for any of these.
In the case of most of those players, I give 5, 6, 7 years of RFA status up. Obviously, many of these guys are more polished at this point but Rick Nash is way ahead of a 20 years old Iginla, for instance. He's an interesting comparison because Rick Nash should, if everything goes right, provide pretty much the same elements Iginla will give you. Except he has bloomed earlier as a scorer and is bigger. So with Iginla being what, 27? 28 years old? I choose Nash.
In the case of Thornton and Lecavalier, both are really big, talented guys and both are centers. A position that is certainly valued. They've got a lot going for them. But Thornton gives me something like 5 years less of RFA status, some underwhelming goalscoring averages over the years and slight question marks on his attitude. The guy has a short fuse at times on the ice and open his mouth a little too often at refs and the organization that feeds him. He's fantastic but I'll take a chance with Rick.
Lecavalier I think still has interesting upside that we haven't seen despite many years of NHL service already. I really do think I haven't seen a more talented prospect except Eric Lindros but I've always had issues with him. The way he carries himself. He is a bit of an enigma and requires some maintenance. Kudos to Tortorella for a kickass job on that but still, I'd rather take Nash. But on this one it's close because I feel Vinny has as much upside as anyone in the game right now.
Richards is a very nice little player, but frankly I don't see top end, dominating upside there. I do see a damn good centerman, though. But I prefer to gamble on a guy who might flat out dominate games in every facets. Out of all the players, I rank him last despite loving the little guy. I think he will be a steady producer, though.
I don't see any guts in Heatley. And frankly, I think he had a dream season in 02-03 he will be hard pressed to repeat. Heatley shows little guts, rarely initiates contact and his reputation as a two-way Canadian warrior is a complete joke. Nash is already much better at initiating things (and he's just starting, I expect way more) and he gets under the skin of tough, veteran defensemen with easy. I can't take Heatley here.
Hossa I really like. Tough decision but I'll go back to Iginla. He's a somewhat older player who developed really well and I'll just gamble that Nash can get to that level and probably more. He's a bigger player, already scoring more than Hossa. Obviously, just like Iginla, these guys are way more polished and provide a much better two-way game but with age and everything, Nash becomes a valuable commodity in terms of upside and dollars. Hossa has also let me down a few times in the playoffs.
We're left with Kovalchuk. He's a machine, immense potential and everything. But really, Nash is just a smarter player when it comes to intangibles. He plays more of a team game, according to the clock, the score and who he is facing. And that's really what sells me on Nash and why I think so highly of him. I think he has the potential to be a great playoff guy that will play smartly according to who he faces. I also like that he is praised for his attitude. I love Ilya and will absolutely not discard him because he is benched but I will factor this when comparing him to another top talent. Both players have progressed REALLY well, IMO. Both have fantastic potential. The age difference is thinny. But I'm just going to choose the guy who seems to have just as much goalscoring in him, seems wiser, requires less maintenance, is grittier and bigger. I think Ilya is a fantastic offensive producer but otherwise a total non-factor. That's where Nash beats him. I think he has the markup to be an effective player even when not scoring. He draws penalty very well for a youngster and he's got the frame to hurt people once he matures.
Bottom line is, Nash is 20 years old, a Rocket Richard winner with a 6 foot 4 frame, great attitude and underrated sense of the overall game. I can't pass it up for anyone else right now.
They say power forwards take more time. Well, Rick Nash has all the tools and he has progressed faster than almost any other player, power forward or not. He just got a great NHL award his second season. I find that impressive and promising.
I'm not sure it will be the way things will play out but I'm sticking to my guns