Rick Nash

[Fitzy]

It depends.

Gaborik as spent time killing penalties in a NYR uniform. He may very well again, time will tell as our PK has been awful so far.

We need to see how other producers are affected by having Nash on the roster. If, through his sheer presence he allows others better scoring chances, he does bring that as intangible value added.

If, n the other hand, he holds onto the puck too much, and deprives Callahan and Gaborik scoring opportunities through hogging the puck and taking much of their ice time, whilst only scoring at a 30 goal pace, he might be subtracting value.

This will take time to see.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

It depends.

Gaborik as spent time killing penalties in a NYR uniform. He may very well again, time will tell as our PK has been awful so far.

We need to see how other producers are affected by having Nash on the roster. If, through his sheer presence he allows others better scoring chances, he does bring that as intangible value added.

If, n the other hand, he holds onto the puck too much, and deprives Callahan and Gaborik scoring opportunities through hogging the puck and taking much of their ice time, whilst only scoring at a 30 goal pace, he might be subtracting value.

This will take time to see.

It could turn out that way. He seems to have good vision with unreal offensive zone instinct from what we have seen so far. You are right it is still early, way too early to see how he is going to change the dynamic of this team in the long run...but rest assured, him being there will change it a lot.

He set Gabby up with multiple scoring chances tonight which was nice to see. People don't want to hear it but Gabby is the best garbage man in the game. A lot of his goals are scrums around the net which he is able to poke in. I hope he cleans up after Nash all season.

 

[trilobyte]

It takes a bunch of different types of players to make a champion.
I don't want Nash to be like Gaborik, or vice versa.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

It takes a bunch of different types of players to make a champion.
I don't want Nash to be like Gaborik, or vice versa.

Good point.

 

[Cynical TyranT]

Not to throw around hyperbole, but he reminds me of Jagr. Using his size and hands to keep the puck away from defenders like that.

 

[dmjt4160]

This guy is pretty good at hockey IMO

 

[RGY]

Nash is opening up ice for Gaborik and that is the key to this all. And as time goes on when opposing teams try to focus on a hot gaborik it will open ice for Nash. They are hard to cover. Boychuk is a strong defender imo, but when it came down to having Chara mark one of nash or gaborik, the remaining player is still a mismatch for Boychuk.

 

[bigbluebird]

I knew he was good, but I completely underrated him. (Like someone said, wasn't watching too many CBJ games).

Seriously, I feel so spoiled having him on our team. Just a beauty to watch. THIS is the kind of offensive talent we should consistently be seeing in NY but have been missing for so long. Really, really jazzed.

I also agree with the Ovie-Lite comparison. They have a similiar presence/smoothness on the ice, although of course Ovie in his prime is a different beast altogether.

 

[ChipAyten]

One garbage time goal in 3 games. bust?

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Gaborik's still better imo. Richards too.

I disagree.

All three are awesome, but Gaborik and Richards don't really have the on-ice presence that Nash does. He could beat you in a anyway, pretty much. With his shot, his size, his speed, or his hands. He's the complete package.

 

[Draft Guru]

One garbage time goal in 3 games. bust?

Philadelphia just lost Hartnell, Toronto just lost Lupul. Both are desperate. Perhaps we can get them to bite?

 

[TriFF51]

Love having Nash on the team. I had high hopes for him and im even more impressed than I thought I would be...I know its a good idea to spread the scoring throughout the lines but I want the Nash-Richards-Gabby line to stay together. At least for a little while. How awesome is it that the Rangers could have the most dangerous line in the league, or at least top 3.

 

[Doctyl]

Philadelphia just lost Hartnell, Toronto just lost Lupul. Both are desperate. Perhaps we can get them to bite?

gaborik for kessel

 

[IceBear86]

Let's see how Nash developes here. I'm still sceptical, I see him as a kind of "lazy" player. But I may change my mind if he keeps performing like in these first couple of games. Way too early to make a proper judgement.

 

[Thunderhead]

Is Nash the biggest acquisition since Mark & Jaromir ? The dude is just tremendous.

 

[RGY]

Let's see how Nash developes here. I'm still sceptical, I see him as a kind of "lazy" player. But I may change my mind if he keeps performing like in these first couple of games. Way too early to make a proper judgement.

There's been nothing lazy about Nash's game thus far. He look rejuvenated if anything.

 

[Ola]

Everyone wants to disagree but has no points or debates to offer? Hmm.

Who knows what "invisible" really means and alot of it depends on perspectives, expectations and philospohy's etc.

But I wouldn't say that you are on thin ice. At least I know that John Tortorella agrees with you (while he wouldn't necessary use the term invisible) if I interpret you correctly.

You can live with a player scoring 40 goals while being invisible in the regular season, but in the PO's when you play the best 7 times in 14 nights -- you just need alot more -- on a shift by shift basis -- from your best players. You need momentum and somehow a player like Gabby must be a factor on a line that gives you momentum shift after shift, game after game. Just popping a goal here and there while spending a lot of time all over the ice chasing the puck (risking penalties, misstakes in the wrong areas ofthe ice, instead of spending time in the attacking zone drawing penalties, waiting for misstakes and what not) is not enough.

Gabby wasn't that player last season or the season before that. I've followed him since the WJC's in Sweden in 99' (?), IE almost 14 years, and he has never been much more than a opetunistic scorer.

My point is just -- we can call him invisible or something else -- but he must start contributing more if he is going to be worth it for us considering the fact that he makes 7m, takes up alot of space on the team, is ineffective on the PP etc. Even if he scores 40 in the regular season. This season is definitely somewhat of a test for Gabby.

 

[Levitate]

The most impressive thing about Nash is his ability to change direction and keep up his speed, especially considering how big he is. That move on Lucic and the similar one on Boychuk are great examples. Lots of guys can pull up and change their angle, but Nash can keep moving and has the size to bull past defenders once he has an edge. Though again I hope he starts putting some of those home

 

[adam94]

Nash is SCARY with the punk, and I mean that in a good way. He can beat you in so many ways. Takes it to the net so aggressively yet so controlled. Beautiful to watch.

 

[Parker]

Nash = Beast. He seems to be in "Team Canada" mode already, he has a history of elevating his game when given a chance to play with other talent. Nice to see him liberated from CBJ and given something to work with.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

He is one of those players that for whatever reason the puck finds him.

 

[Inferno]

Gabby is so 1 dimensional its not even funny. When he isn't scoring he's completely invisible.

You do realize that's Gabbys game right? THAT is what makes him so dangerous, his ability to be invisible and get lost out there, then appear outta nowhere and score goals. A guy that scores as much as he does should have to be a lot better in 1 on 1 situations, Gabby is TERRIBLE in 1 on 1 situations, I cant remember the last time i've seen him go 1 on 1 with a defenseman (who wasn't caught flat footed...but had him 1 on 1) and Gabby actually beat him.

Gabbys ability to shoot the puck, and his ability to disappear and reappear is what makes him so deadly. He's so very much different than Nash. You SEE Nash out there every shift. Every shift he does somethign to make you ooh and aah. He's got power, hes a freight train on skates, he can hit, he can protect the puck better than anyone in the NHL, he can skate, he's got dangles...the guy is far more noticeable...which also means....he's more NOTICEABLE for the other team. They can track him, they can shut him down. Gabby ability to disappear is part of what makes him so deadly.

 

[Vickers8]

Nash is SCARY with the punk, and I mean that in a good way. He can beat you in so many ways. Takes it to the net so aggressively yet so controlled. Beautiful to watch.

I like the Jagr comparison with regard to trying to get the puck from him, uses his huge size to his advantage

 

[SlapshotTheMovie]

He has been amazing so far... Torts is loving him and saying he thinks he will mean big things to the organization and I full heartily agree!

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

You do realize that's Gabbys game right? THAT is what makes him so dangerous, his ability to be invisible and get lost out there, then appear outta nowhere and score goals. A guy that scores as much as he does should have to be a lot better in 1 on 1 situations, Gabby is TERRIBLE in 1 on 1 situations, I cant remember the last time i've seen him go 1 on 1 with a defenseman (who wasn't caught flat footed...but had him 1 on 1) and Gabby actually beat him.

Gabbys ability to shoot the puck, and his ability to disappear and reappear is what makes him so deadly. He's so very much different than Nash. You SEE Nash out there every shift. Every shift he does somethign to make you ooh and aah. He's got power, hes a freight train on skates, he can hit, he can protect the puck better than anyone in the NHL, he can skate, he's got dangles...the guy is far more noticeable...which also means....he's more NOTICEABLE for the other team. They can track him, they can shut him down. Gabby ability to disappear is part of what makes him so deadly.

I agree with your assertions on his style of scoring, and I certainly understand how he is sneaky and opportunistic. What I meant by invisible is that he doesn't try to contribute to the team in other ways when the puck isn't going in for him. He won't even try to get into any kind of puck battle in the corner, have a spirited backcheck, maybe even just finish a hit here or there. In my opinion, he just isn't a complete hockey player. That being said Gabby is certainly offensively talented beyond words, and a huge piece of the puzzle for this team...sometimes I wish that I would see some more heart out of him.