Player Discussion Rick Nash

[TaroTsujimoto]

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.

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.

Outstanding post.

 

[TaroTsujimoto]

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.

Because there are so many homers here, Chimp's post will not garner many likes (and may even produce some retorts referencing his avatar). But he was bang on.

 

[Rubber Biscuit]

Because there are so many homers here, Chimp's post will not garner many likes (and may even produce some retorts referencing his avatar). But he was bang on.

Wait does disagreeing with that post make someone a homer?

lol

 

[GoBs]

Nash's center Krecji hasn't been actually carrying the load. With Bergeron out your second line 8.5 million dollar center needs to step up. Krecji can you please win a face-offs at a more consistent level.

 

[patty59]

Because there are so many homers here, Chimp's post will not garner many likes (and may even produce some retorts referencing his avatar). But he was bang on.

It's all about the likes!

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

Hasn't Krejci been on his biggest tear in years? Seems like it on the score sheet.

 

[Rubber Biscuit]

Nash's center Krecji hasn't been actually carrying the load. With Bergeron out your second line 8.5 million dollar center needs to step up. Krecji can you please win a face-offs at a more consistent level.

Krejci... It's been a decade. Also he doesn't make $8.5 million.

Not to mention that he has, in fact, been carrying that line lately.

 

[bearcountry17]

Nash’s GPG over the last two seasons is the 15th highest in the league for RWs. That is not a player who can’t score. This is not a bottom 6 player. Maybe a player that should score more based on expectations or the sheer amount of chances he creates, but by the numbers that’s a middle of the pack 1st line RW goal scorer. Who by admission of Chimp plays a very good 2 way game. How many teams have a guy like that outside the top 6?

Because if you strip away the fact of who he used to be and what he used to do and how much he was paid you have a 6’4, 25 goal, two way winger with plus speed that can help play second unit on both special teams and creates so much chances that he’s considered snakebite after scoringat a 26 goal pace.

I was never a big fan of Nash and I do think he can be a bit of a shrinking violet when you consider how huge and powerful of a player he can be. I think he was expected to be the guy and never really was much like a guy like Kessel or Gaborok earlier in his career. But he joined a team where he is at best expected to the 5th best producer on the team. I think Nash is somewhere between those two right now, obviously not a good as Kessel but better than Gaborok.

If he can put up half a point per game or more in the POs and the guys I expect to contribute more do so we should be in good shape.

BTW outside the 1st line this team doesn’t have a legit 25 goal goal on the roster and we’re one of the best teams in the league.

 

[TaroTsujimoto]

Nash is the definition of a complimentary player. We gave up an equal or quite possibly better offensive player in Spooner plus lots of other goodies for a playoff rental who doesn't even play well in the playoffs. I get why we made the trade, but yikes.

 

[Rubber Biscuit]

Nash is the definition of a complimentary player. We gave up an equal or quite possibly better offensive player in Spooner plus lots of other goodies for a playoff rental who doesn't even play well in the playoffs. I get why we made the trade, but yikes.

I don't know if I'd consider a late first and a prospect blocked by several other prospects to be "lots of other goodies" especially when you account for them taking Beleskey

 

[bearcountry17]

Nash is the definition of a complimentary player. We gave up an equal or quite possibly better offensive player in Spooner plus lots of other goodies for a playoff rental who doesn't even play well in the playoffs. I get why we made the trade, but yikes.

Spooner’s last 10 games in Boston he was 1-3-4. Nash has been 3-2-5. I don’t think it’s really fair to compare what spooner is doing in NY now to what he’d be doing here. Nevermind the fact that Krejci and Debrusk both went off immediately once the swap was made.

 

[GordonHowe]

Nash is the definition of a complimentary player. We gave up an equal or quite possibly better offensive player in Spooner plus lots of other goodies for a playoff rental who doesn't even play well in the playoffs. I get why we made the trade, but yikes.

Not going to debate Spooner here. For various reasons -- his size, three zone play, work along the boards, scoring chances and ability to score -- I don't mind the deal, even with the "goodies" surrendered to acquire Nash.

But, I've never felt RN#61 was a money player. Perhaps many years ago, but that's... many years ago. The guy is 33. He disappears. My sense is that he will underwhelm going forward, though I hope that's not the case. If it is, especially in the playoffs, I would wish him well & let him walk.

I wouldn't pay to keep him, barring significant playoff contributions.

 

[TimThomas24]

Says the Celtics fan...

So celtics fans aren’t bruins fans. Teams that share an arena. Great logic lol

 

[Gordoff]

So celtics fans aren’t bruins fans. Teams that share an arena. Great logic lol

I won't say how I know Wyk Grosbeck (Mods can contact me) but I will say that his wife has made some ****** remarks regarding Bruins fans. A close friend of mine is a Celtics first fan and (although he played some hockey with me/us) he has no regard for the Bruins and their fans.

 

[Gordoff]

Not going to debate Spooner here. For various reasons -- his size, three zone play, work along the boards, scoring chances and ability to score -- I don't mind the deal, even with the "goodies" surrendered to acquire Nash.

But, I've never felt RN#61 was a money player. Perhaps many years ago, but that's... many years ago. The guy is 33. He disappears. My sense is that he will underwhelm going forward, though I hope that's not the case. If it is, especially in the playoffs, I would wish him well & let him walk.

I wouldn't pay to keep him, barring significant playoff contributions.

Agreed, I wouldn't waste a big contract on him at 33 or even at 30 at this rate. He isn't a "money player" you're right. Furthermore, a player who only hits the accelerator a couple times a game isn't what the Bruins need as an example to the young players on the team. Even if they win the cup because of a few contributions by him, I say "thank you" shake his hand and wish him well.

 

[Krupp]

It's crazy, because if you look at previous points totals from previous seasons, it's quite impressive:

4 or more seasons of at least hitting 30 goals. Two or nearly three of hitting 40. It's unfortunate he's not scoring like he used to, but I imagine changing teams with varying talent probably does him no favors. It HAS been interesting to watch Krejci doing more of the scoring lately though....I did not see that coming

 

[rocketdan9]

Krejci and Nash may not click

No need to force

Try Marchand and Rick Nash

 

[KrejciMVP]

We need Nash to get hot in the playoffs. That's all

 

[Gordoff]

We need Nash to get hot in the playoffs. That's all

Well, he does know that this may possibly be his last chance at a cup, that coupled with the fact that he's playing for his next, last high paying contract and hopefully he'll have a fire lit in his belly.

 

[Chief Nine]

Because there are so many homers here, Chimp's post will not garner many likes (and may even produce some retorts referencing his avatar). But he was bang on.

Whether any of us on this board agree with what @Chimp said or not why does this mean that anyone to chooses to wait and see what Rick Nash is or isn’t, has or doesn’t have and choose not to click the like button are “homers”?

And where are you coming from with the presumption that some will comment on @Chimp’s avatar?? What exactly does that mean?

 

[Chief Nine]

Nash’s GPG over the last two seasons is the 15th highest in the league for RWs. That is not a player who can’t score. This is not a bottom 6 player. Maybe a player that should score more based on expectations or the sheer amount of chances he creates, but by the numbers that’s a middle of the pack 1st line RW goal scorer. Who by admission of Chimp plays a very good 2 way game. How many teams have a guy like that outside the top 6?

Because if you strip away the fact of who he used to be and what he used to do and how much he was paid you have a 6’4, 25 goal, two way winger with plus speed that can help play second unit on both special teams and creates so much chances that he’s considered snakebite after scoringat a 26 goal pace.

I was never a big fan of Nash and I do think he can be a bit of a shrinking violet when you consider how huge and powerful of a player he can be. I think he was expected to be the guy and never really was much like a guy like Kessel or Gaborok earlier in his career. But he joined a team where he is at best expected to the 5th best producer on the team. I think Nash is somewhere between those two right now, obviously not a good as Kessel but better than Gaborok.

If he can put up half a point per game or more in the POs and the guys I expect to contribute more do so we should be in good shape.

BTW outside the 1st line this team doesn’t have a legit 25 goal goal on the roster and we’re one of the best teams in the league.

Well said. Can I assume then that anyone who doesn’t “like” this post isn’t a real Bruins fan?

 

[KrejciMVP]

Nash numbers might be down a bit bc of lots of injuries. He's 33 after all. Full lineup he will play better. I think he will deliver

 

[pkunit]

We need Nash to get hot in the playoffs. That's all

Just be harder to play against than Spooner was. I believe that was the goal when we traded for him.

He's got the potential to be a game breaker for us and I think we won this trade simply because Spooner will never be a clutch playoff performer IMO.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Just be harder to play against than Spooner was. I believe that was the goal when we traded for him.

He's got the potential to be a game breaker for us and I think we won this trade simply because Spooner will never be a clutch playoff performer IMO.

He could start tonight by working on his plus minus, which is -4. His linemate Krejci has been +2 since Nash joined the team, so it’s not like his line is underachieving.

Harder to play against in what way? He’s not great along the boards, not that fast, not a great playmaker, his shot isn’t that good, he’s average defensively.

His netfront presence is a clear positive, and he’s scored most of his goals in that area. He doesn’t seem that hard to contain IMO. Bergeron coming back and playing on a different line won’t change that.

“Spooner will never be a clutch playoff performer.” We traded him for someone that was never a clutch playoff performer in his prime, and is now 33. At least trade for someone like Kane who has yet to prove himself and is in his prime.

 

[Chief Nine]

He could start tonight by working on his plus minus, which is -4. His linemate Krejci has been +2 since Nash joined the team, so it’s not like his line is underachieving.

Harder to play against in what way? He’s not great along the boards, not that fast, not a great playmaker, his shot isn’t that good, he’s average defensively.

His netfront presence is a clear positive, and he’s scored most of his goals in that area. He doesn’t seem that hard to contain IMO. Bergeron coming back and playing on a different line won’t change that.

“Spooner will never be a clutch playoff performer.” We traded him for someone that was never a clutch playoff performer in his prime, and is now 33. At least trade for someone like Kane who has yet to prove himself and is in his prime.

Say what you want about Rick Nash as he does need to step up, but he’s anything but average defensively