Player Discussion Rick Nash

[PB37]

Nash needs lots of opportunities in order to convert. He's good at creating chances for himself, but not good at bearing down on them. Do not try to deny this--the evidence from the last 3 seasons is right there. He's certainly not a "shooter" or above average finisher anymore.

Nothing wrong with having a 20+ goal scoring, big bodied presence on the 2nd line. Do not try to deny the fact that the 2nd line has played very good with him on it - the evidence is right there. While he may not be producing at a higher rate, his presence alone is enough to give his linemates room as Nash still gets a lot of attention from defenders.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

even though he doesnt play very aggressively physical... he is big and strong and adds presence.

hes something we were missing

to me its not about spooner or nash

it might be about spooner or debrusk... spooner or heinen... even spooner or donato

team only needs a certain number of smaller pass first left shot wingers

ive said it before... fully expect spooner to produce points wherever he ends up. good for him

but im now saying nash will give us more what we need to win big games... good for us

 

[Trap Jesus]

He reminds me a lot of the Bruins version of Blake Wheeler. Big and fast but lacks scoring touch and can make some questionable decisions. Can still chip in defensively with his speed and reach when he's not scoring.

 

[KnightofBoston]

He reminds me a lot of the Bruins version of Blake Wheeler. Big and fast but lacks scoring touch and can make some questionable decisions. Can still chip in defensively with his speed and reach when he's not scoring.

You and I watched a different Blake wheeler

Or a different rick Nash for that matter

 

[KrejciMVP]

Krejci and Nash should be on every PP learning chemisty. C'mon coach. Wake up

 

[Estlin]

[Spooner’s] talented, but can he turn it up a notch come playoff time while handling the physical aspect of spring hockey? I think it’s his Achilles heel

You could ask the same thing of Rick Nash, given that his playoff performance has been his Achilles’ heel.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I hear a lot about presence and that he’s big. We used a 1st round pick to upgrade Spooner, it’s fair to want some offensive production. If all we needed was a big winger that’ll stand in front of the net, I can’t help but think we could have found a cheaper option.

He’s been frustrating lately, getting chances and has no finish. I hope he’s just streaky.

 

[BNHL]

Yup,very disappointing production,but playing very good hockey.

 

[Dr Hook]

I loved the acquisition of Nash, but I am also a bit disappointed with his lack of finish of late. I still think he'll do okay for us, but we needed him to up his game last night and he didn't manage it. Krejci will get him the puck in scoring areas probably several times a night most nights, so we need him to find his scoring touch.

 

[TimThomas24]

You and I watched a different Blake wheeler

Or a different rick Nash for that matter

Blake Wheeler was terrible in Boston

 

[Gordoff]

Blake Wheeler was terrible in Boston

Says the Celtics fan...

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

Don't know how anyone could honestly claim that Blake was good while he was with us, based upon his entire time here.

He started off with a bang, but slowly deteriorated into a kind of enigmatic/seemingly disinterested player, not too much unlike Belesky, who would forget to skate at times and was quite soft, for such a big-bodied guy. He earned the moniker "Blake the Fake" on these boards, and it wasn't too far off, one would have to admit.

Of course, because "it's called Bruins", once he left here, he blossomed, but TBH, many here, including myself, we're calling for him to be moved. Without intending to, he faked us out.

 

[LouJersey]

I hear a lot about presence and that he’s big. We used a 1st round pick to upgrade Spooner, it’s fair to want some offensive production. If all we needed was a big winger that’ll stand in front of the net, I can’t help but think we could have found a cheaper option.

He’s been frustrating lately, getting chances and has no finish. I hope he’s just streaky.

Exactly. They gave up a load. I don't mind it, but it's Ranger Rick here. Makes his linemates better. Plays hard. Creates loads of chances. Doesn't score many goals.

Problem is, he's here to score goals. Also, while his game will never be confused with Cam Neely I can't believe the non existent physical presence. He was chippy at times in NY, but he must be getting comfortable I guess.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Yup,very disappointing production,but playing very good hockey.

Agreed. We are settling if we are OK with playing good hockey but production not there. Hopefully it comes.

I still want him in Boston a few more seasons at that price we paid.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Don't know how anyone could honestly claim that Blake was good while he was with us, based upon his entire time here.

He started off with a bang, but slowly deteriorated into a kind of enigmatic/seemingly disinterested player, not too much unlike Belesky, who would forget to skate at times and was quite soft, for such a big-bodied guy. He earned the moniker "Blake the Fake" on these boards, and it wasn't too far off, one would have to admit.

Of course, because "it's called Bruins", once he left here, he blossomed, but TBH, many here, including myself, we're calling for him to be moved. Without intending to, he faked us out.

Blake Wheeler and Wideman had great years in 09 with the Bruins and they had the best offense in the league, I think the departure of Kessel and it's effect on the offense hurt both these players the following year. Krejci and Savards (prior to the Cooke hit) numbers also took a hit.

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

Blake Wheeler and Wideman had great years in 09 with the Bruins and they had the best offense in the league, I think the departure of Kessel and it's effect on the offense hurt both these players the following year. Krejci and Savards (prior to the Cooke hit) numbers also took a hit.

Ok, I'll give you that, but even so, watching Rick Nash play right now (yes, a lot older than BW was when he was with us, I know) is a bit like watching BW when he was with us. We've got two older big men on our team in the sunset of their careers playing, what we expect to be, huge roles in our top 9. That's just the way it is. Can we get there with what Backes and Nash are providing now? Not sure about that. It's quite possible. Playoffs are a different season. Fingers crossed.

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

Agreed. We are settling if we are OK with playing good hockey but production not there. Hopefully it comes.

I still want him in Boston a few more seasons at that price we paid.

The less he produces, the less it may cost to extend him?

As long as he produces enough to help the Bruins make a deep run and even win it all, the price they paid will have been worth it.

 

[Chimpradamus]

I loved the acquisition of Nash, but I am also a bit disappointed with his lack of finish of late. I still think he'll do okay for us, but we needed him to up his game last night and he didn't manage it. Krejci will get him the puck in scoring areas probably several times a night most nights, so we need him to find his scoring touch.

His lack of finish is why he doesn't produce, he hasn't had a scoring touch in years. He's not a particulary good passer, his wrister is weak and he can't take a slap shot. His patented power move where he tries to slide the puck into the far side of the net hasn't worked on a butterfly goalie in half a decade.

Nash is excellent at playing good hockey without producing points, that's what he did most of the time in New York. He has to let go of his puck hog style, because it hasn't been effective since about his 2nd-3rd year in NYR (then he could actually beat guys one on one and produce). And no, you absolutely don't want him on the PP, unless he's at the front of the net, which he hasn't done much of in his entire career (he's not a deflection guy by any means).

If you expect good hockey and a good defensive effort, he's your guy. If you expect numbers, you don't want him on the team. Especially don't expect him to perform offensively in the playoffs. He's a good defensive player, but offensively his reputation is far greater than his performance.

Exactly. They gave up a load. I don't mind it, but it's Ranger Rick here. Makes his linemates better. Plays hard. Creates loads of chances. Doesn't score many goals...

Nope, at least not for the Rangers. Nash's line was the sponge line, it was always some other line that brought it. I can't think of any player that found good chemistry with Nash in New York. Maybe Stepan, because he likes a slower game, just like Nash. Heck, he even looked terrible with Zuccarello and Zuccarello is great at making others play better.

Boston and LA are the only places I can think of where Nash can actually make his teammates better. I hope his linemates can produce and Nash can make them better, but he won't bring it, that's my prediction after watching him for many years.

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

His lack of finish is why he doesn't produce, he hasn't had a scoring touch in years. He's not a particulary good passer, his wrister is weak and he can't take a slap shot. His patented power move where he tries to slide the puck into the far side of the net hasn't worked on a butterfly goalie in half a decade.

Nash is excellent at playing good hockey without producing points, that's what he did most of the time in New York. He has to let go of his puck hog style, because it hasn't been effective since about his 2nd-3rd year in NYR (then he could actually beat guys one on one and produce). And no, you absolutely don't want him on the PP, unless he's at the front of the net, which he hasn't done much of in his entire career (he's not a deflection guy by any means).

If you expect good hockey and a good defensive effort, he's your guy. If you expect numbers, you don't want him on the team. Especially don't expect him to perform offensively in the playoffs. He's a good defensive player, but offensively his reputation is far greater than his performance.

I would "like" this post, but it's rather more that "Sadly, I fear that this assessment is accurate. And, I hate what it portends" and they don't make a button for that.

 

[Trap Jesus]

You and I watched a different Blake wheeler

Or a different rick Nash for that matter

Meh, they're nearly identical to me. Not sure what your opinion on both is but mine is that they're OK but could/should be doing so much more. Their style of play is nearly identical as far as I'm concerned.

Wheeler's career completely took off in Winnipeg, I don't consider the Bruins version of Wheeler to be even remotely similar to what he is today.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

Agreed. We are settling if we are OK with playing good hockey but production not there. Hopefully it comes.

I still want him in Boston a few more seasons at that price we paid.

I think that will depend on what kind of money he is asking.

 

[Chimpradamus]

I think that will depend on what kind of money he is asking.

If Boston can come to to terms with the money for a third line defensive winger, you have one of the best bottom 6 players in the league. Well, as long as you don't expect him to score.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

If Boston can come to to terms with the money for a third line defensive winger, you have one of the best bottom 6 players in the league. Well, as long as you don't expect him to score.

that's true, theres 66 players in the nhl this season with more than 21 goals. if you figure theres 31 teams that means every team has 2 guys with more goals on average

that means that a bottom 6 guy that scores 21 goals is total crap and you cant expect that guy to score because compared to other players hes not scoring much... theres 66 players in the entire nhl that score better... that means everyone scores... umm.. wait... what the hell am I saying here? oops... dang... I think I'm out to lunch... sorry everyone please disreguard this nonsense

geeze now I'm embarrassed

 

[Dr Hook]

If Boston can come to to terms with the money for a third line defensive winger, you have one of the best bottom 6 players in the league. Well, as long as you don't expect him to score.

It may be as you say, and it may be Nash has a renaissance. Since we have him, I'd like to be optimistic. If he really isn't productive, then I don't see him re-signing at the sort of money he will want. I know he isn't going to get another fat deal like the one he's on now, but I don't see him taking Riley Nash money either. That said, if he is a 25 goal guy on a second line for us ( and we seem to be agreed that he plays a solid 200 foot game) then re-upping him at a reasonable rate might be an option. A lot of that I think is going to depend on how he does in the last few games and in the playoffs.

 

[alg363636]

I would say he's snake bitten but when people have been saying that about you for 3 ish years I think it is no longer luck but just a lack of offensive abilities

I'm fine with how he's been but I just don't think he's going to be worth what we paid come playoff time. I'm hoping I'm wrong though!