Rick Nash Part II

[KingWantsCup]

At this point I'm not sure if this is a long slump or this is the new Nash. I haven't seen talent just disappear like that since Heatley. Not saying that Nash doesn't care like Heatley does, but something is wrong. He just doesn't drive to the net anymore. That's how he scores the majority of his goals.

 

[CommaSynapse]

At this point I'm not sure if this is a long slump or this is the new Nash. I haven't seen talent just disappear like that since Heatley. Not saying that Nash doesn't care like Heatley does, but something is wrong. He just doesn't drive to the net anymore. That's how he scores the majority of his goals.

I'm hoping it's just attributable to lingering concussion issues or a nagging injury that can be addressed in the off-season. Looks like he's playing a bit scared. Doesn't get into board battles (not that he really ever has), but he's keeping it to the outside instead of taking it to the blue paint.

Hopefully he'll be back in top form for the start of the '14 season, otherwise, we might have a bit of a problem.

Also, for what it's worth, his playoff play (given the small sample size) has always been subpar compared to his regular season. Maybe he just doesn't have the extra gear for playoff play.

 

[Inferno]

Nash was very good

He's been very good for about 8 games in a row now

He's been contributing offensively and is still a very valuable possession player

That's valuable against top lines, which he often plays against. Notice how Kopitar and Gaborik were invisible? That's not all McD.

yep. totally agreed. some people can't see past "omgz no goalz!!".

 

[Jersey Girl]

The 3-on-1 Nash bungled last night was embarrassing, and gave his critics lots of fuel for their fire.

Aside from that, however, I thought Nash played pretty well. That entire line needs to step up big time in game 2, but I thought Nash was working hard along the boards. And he uses his body so much now (instead of scoring goals) I think that creates a dichotomy here - using his body so much makes you feel like concussions (or his fear of them) are not the issue people like to make it out to be, but then again concussions can't be the reason he's not scoring, either.

 

[Miamipuck]

I am not a big believer in a player making one mistake (that horrid 3-1) and vilifying him over it. I think Nash mirrored the entire team last night. He came out very good and ended up not so much, although Stepan was awful and didn't help Nash much. I do love his penalty killing though. Boyle and Nash take up huge area of ice with their sticks, it's fun to watch.

 

[yrrebbor]

I feel like Nash's personality keeps him from being great. He seems like a quiet, mellow, nice guy. Kreider on the other hand seems like an arrogant ******* on the ice. If Nash was more cocky and confident, I think he would be one of the best forwards in the league.

Tell him, "second place is the first loser!"

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Nash had an OK game.

He just cant put it all together.

 

[Off Sides]

Nash takes up far too much cap space, and ice time to be slightly better production wise than Brain Boyle in the playoffs. When we'd rather see Pouliot, or D Moore, maybe even Dorsett going up the ice with the puck on his stick than Nash, it's an issue no matter how much I think Nash has at least tried to help the team in other areas of the game.

 

[BroadwayBlues]

I have seen nothing offensively that has wowed me. Where is his skills? Many times he looks like a 3rd/4th line player.

He's a big part of these odd man rushes looking like crap. The 2-1 against the Pens where he missed the net, stands out.

 

[LeetchisGod]

I think he's in horrible shape. Seems to have lost much of his former speed. Falls down way too much. Makes horrible decisions with puck on his stick. The dynamic player that we saw in Columbus seems to be distant memory. It's a shame because we could really use that guy in this series.

 

[we want cup]

The frustrating thing about Nash last night was that he'd make a good play by getting in on the forecheck or forcing a turnover, but then do something totally stupid that completely negated the earlier play.

For a guy who's supposed to be one of the best one on one players in the league, it's maddening that he can barely generate scoring chances in those situations.

Boyle created more offense than Nash last night.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

Rick Nash has provided the intensity and defensive prowess that is already fulfilled by players who are not only played significantly less, but do what he is doing significantly better. As the team is constructed, Rick Nash will need to score goals.

 

[TankLarkin]

Okay, so Nash isn't scoring. That's pretty lame in itself but what really drives me nuts is his ability - or lack thereof - to hold onto the puck. 95% of the time he makes passes to guys who are covered or just loses the puck. The guy has either lost all confidence, or he was always this bad. regardless, sather must be seething up in his box.

 

[LeetchisGod]

Perhaps we can parlay his friendship with Thornton into him accepting a deal to SJ. I am rapidly getting sick of seeing this guy in Ranger uniform.

 

[TheTakedown]

Okay, so Nash isn't scoring. That's pretty lame in itself but what really drives me nuts is his ability - or lack thereof - to hold onto the puck. 95% of the time he makes passes to guys who are covered or just loses the puck. The guy has either lost all confidence, or he was always this bad. regardless, sather must be seething up in his box.

yes, even hageli has better ability to hold onto the puck for longer amounts of time.

 

[LORDE]

yep. totally agreed. some people can't see past "omgz no goalz!!".

Some can see past that but it's not enough, at least for me. No goals + not creating = not enough.

He tries. Great, ur supposed to ****ing try! It's the Stanley Cup Final for Christ's sake.

Bottom line, he hasn't been the same since the last concussion and IF the NYR are going to win, it will be in spite of him not scoring. That's a tough ask, especially against this LA team.

It's just not enough. No matter how you slice it.

 

[sfox7076]

We need him to play with an edge like he did when he was against Columbus. Even one game of him playing like a beast and not scoring a goal will open up more ice for Kreider and Stepan.

Kreider needs Nash to draw more people to him. And, well, Kreider also needs to do what he did game 1 against Montreal. Hard to the net. I don't get what happened to this line. Other than flashes of fire from Stepan, they have basically become the checking line as there is no offensive threat (and with Moore scoring big goals on the 4th line...).

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Rick Nash needs to be a force to win this series.

At times early in game 1, he was looking like it, but never got to the net with a shot. The extra move, the backing in **** that he does, its gotta stop. If he wants to get to the middle of the ice, go there without the puck or do it earlier at the top of the zone. Dont wait until you are at the top or below the circles because the D-man covering him will have a short enough gap to stop and stick-check.

Its becoming a real problem for him and taking on a life of its own similar to the Rangers PP last postseason. The Rangers need him to be productive and scoring if they want to win the Cup. He is going to be the difference maker if everyone else is going.

Its so frustrating because he has all of the ability and has shown it in the past that if he wants something he can get it (see the Columbus game almost everyone here references in every ****ing post).

Hes got to stop trying to get to the middle all of the time because hes forcing it. Get a shot through a defensemans legs, shoot the puck and go to the net. I dont know. I dont know whats going on with him. Large stretch of the season last season with Step and Hags he was dominant. Its there somewhere.

 

[ChrisKreider20]

Nash, Stepan and Staal for Malkin?

I'd do it.

 

[offdacrossbar]

for the record, rick nash looks to be gassed. he does everything in slo-mo.

his back check is occasional. his effort is inconsistent. his energy level seems to be minimal.

at this point he is a large, slow, plodding guy who wants to cycle but doesnt have the stamina to do it effectively.

he wants to beat guys wide and can with his long reach and wide frame but he looses pucks and too often attempts some of the weakest things that i think look like shots but im not sure.

he can skate fast but doesnt. his signature move- that cut across the ice and shoot it thing doesnt work enough and seems to be nothing more than a turnover waiting to happen.

when involved in an odd man rush, he basically just delivers the puck to the glass or to the opponents stick. its like he doesnt want to score....

his signature move now is something called "the flub" usually delivered slowly and without purpose.

hes really not doing anything if hes not scoring and.... he is not scoring.

 

[ChrisKreider20]

One thing I've noticed about Nash is he isn't the most intelligent player. If he has a choice of trying to beat a guy using skill or making the smart play, he'll always use skill.

He's like a person in an arcade who choose Scorpion when playing Mortal Kombat and just uses "Get Over Here" over and over again. Eventually the opponent adapts, and he's useless...

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

for the record, rick nash looks to be gassed. he does everything in slo-mo.

his back check is occasional. his effort is inconsistent.

No, no, and no. His effort level is perfectly fine. Kreider was talking in an interview from not too long ago about how much Nash busts his ass out there, and I see absolutely no signs of him giving a lackluster effort. His awareness is what offends me at times. He makes some awful reads.

at this point he is a large, slow, plodding guy who wants to cycle but doesnt have the stamina to do it effectively.

Except he does cycle effectively, and he controls the puck when on the ice more that his opponents do, and that's playing against top lines.

hes really not doing anything if hes not scoring and.... he is not scoring.

If you think controlling possession against other teams best players (while still throwing some points in there) is "doing nothing", I don't know what to tell you.

Yes, his goal total is disappointing. No, his overall play is not. If anything, his play, overall, is as well rounded as I've ever seen it.

 

[Fugazy]

Yes, his goal total is disappointing. No, his overall play is not. If anything, his play, overall, is as well rounded as I've ever seen it.

Agreed.

 

[Jabroni]

I thought he had a very solid game last night. Solid on the defensive side of the puck. We still need scoring from him, though.

 

[iamitter]

If anything, he's playing too conservatively defensively. He's not exactly a very fast guy, or hasn't been this season. He used to cheat to get breakaways. He hasn't done that once these playoffs. He occasionally plays a little more aggressively on the PK than others, but thats it. He has been the first man back on the backcheck consistently.

I'm not seeing a lack of effort level here.