Rick Nash

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I was reading through some of the old Rick Nash discussions (wow.) and I found this one I had to share:

Link



This counts right?

Wheres the guy that called Nash "just a 59 point player?" Stat surfing at its finest.

Nash is a game breaker of the ability not seen here since Jagr in 05-06, a truly special talent.

People who actually took the time to watch him before he got here would've realized that as quickly as the board is.

 

[Thirty One]

is/was this person anti-Nash at the time?

Nope.

 

[Killem Dafoe]

is/was this person anti-Nash at the time?

Negative. Always loved the guy. I watch a lot of different teams and specifically watched the Jackets because of Nash. Every time he got the puck I would scoot to the edge of my seat. Always a joy to watch him play. Was a matter of time before others saw it too.

Edit: haha nice find -31-

 

[Inferno]

Rick Nash fan from day 1. wanted him here badly.

I also wanted Wade Redden...so we all screw up from time to time

 

[Brick Top]

Wings fan here, glad to see Nash out of the division. Wish Detroit was able to trade for him but no way that was going down with C-bus. Gaborik's hat trick was great last night, but Nash owned that game. Haven't had a player like that in the D since late-'90's Shanny, and I think he's going to crush for your NYR.

 

[mas0764]

Dubi, Erixon and AA is still a pretty decent amount of talent. Those guys are extremely versatile. can play anywhere in your lineup and be productive. both dubi and AA are solid 2 way players that bring a lot to a team. Our team has shown how much they miss them when you have guys like Rupp out there *blech* eating up minutes usually taken by Dubinsky.

Sure, you miss them, but we have versatile two way forwards in the system aplenty: Miller, Lindberg, etc. Same on D with Erixon... we've got McIlrath and Skjei in the pipeline.

Those types (3rd-4th line forwards and 5th-6th defensemen) are also abundant at the trade line for cheap usually.

What we don't have in the system is a Rick Nash.

 

[Fitzy]

He was up for contract as an RFA I believe the same year Gabby was up as a UFA, and I always wanted Nash more because I thought he was the better player. Granted at the time, Gaborik had only one 40 goal season and so did Nash, Nash was younger, injured less, ect.

I can say I'm glad that we ended up with Nash over, say, Heatley or Parise. I'd much rather have Kovalchuk, though.

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

Wouldn't it make sense to put Nash on the second line and Gaborik on the first line. Gaborik and Richards are great. Nash has the skill were he doesn't really need a playmaker, but having Stepan on his line will also be great.

Pyatt/Callahan-Richards-Gaborik
Nash-Stepan-Callahan/Pyatt
Kreider-Boyle-Hagelin

 

[mas0764]

Frankly, with his injury history, i'd rather Gaborik stay a little more away from the physical side of the game. We need him on the ice and healthy.

We have something special here offensively for the first time in a long time, this is probably the most talented a set of three forwards we have had since Lindros, Bure, and Kovalev or perhaps even Gretz, Messier, and Robataille.

Are you talking talent alone? I mean.... this trio of Nash-Richards-Gaborik is gonna be a lot better than either of those groups were.

Lindros's high water mark here was his first year in 2001 when he scored 37 goals and 36 assists for 73 points. Bure had 20 points in his 12 games here that season.

The next season Lindros fell off to 19 goals and 53 assists in a full 81 gmaes, and Bure had 19 goals and 11 assists in 39 games, and Kovalev had 10 goals and 3 assists in 24 games.

That was never an elite grouping. Maybe you are thinking of the FLY line with Fleury-Lindros-York, who netted 79 total goals in 2001, but frankly I think it will not be too hard for Nash-Richards-Gaborik to top that in an 82 game season. 30-20-30 will do it, and that is being conservative.

Nash and Gaborik are potential 40 goals scorers.

Gretzky-Messier-Robitaille 25-36-24 goals, which is 85, that may be harder to top.

But the pace that Nash-Richards-Gaborik are on right now is 136, so....

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

this is so wrong. for an offensive animal, gaborik is actually pretty good defensively. he has his moments, but he learned under arguable the best defensive coach ever in Jacques lemaire on the wild.

He is pretty good defenseively and the majority of the time plays both ends of the ice. he throws fairly good hits for a guy his size and has probably a top 5 wrister in the NHL.

He's not flashy and because of that he is so underrated by people. Gaborik is an absolute wizard. Every second he is on the ice he is thinking of the next move. he is one of the best signings the rangers have ever made

Honestly, I whole-heartedly disagree with every single point you made. There is nothing else to say, I just completely disagree.

 

[stevo61]

Honestly, I whole-heartedly disagree with every single point you made. There is nothing else to say, I just completely disagree.

As a Blue Jackets fan its kinda fun to come over and read some of peoples comments on how they view Nash so far. Nash is crazy talented as everyone knows, based on pure talent he's probably not far away from guys like Datsyuk and Malkin. But in saying that he's like you're shiny new toy. Gaborik is like you're old favorite toy you still like but kinda gets pushed back a little. Some of the comments i've seen of Gaborik are true but some are pretty unwarrented and are just said because you have Nash now so people are picking at Gaboriks downfalls that much more. Ranger fans should just be pumped to have 2 players of that skill on the same team, Nash is a creative guy who can mesmerize you and pick corners with a pretty accurate and decent wrister and Gaborik is a guy that can blow by just about any player in the league and has an insane shot.

 

[KingWantsCup]

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.

Lazy? Really? He's been phenomenal in all aspects. Even killing penalties. By far our most valuable forward.

 

[Levitate]

As a Blue Jackets fan its kinda fun to come over and read some of peoples comments on how they view Nash so far. Nash is crazy talented as everyone knows, based on pure talent he's probably not far away from guys like Datsyuk and Malkin. But in saying that he's like you're shiny new toy. Gaborik is like you're old favorite toy you still like but kinda gets pushed back a little. Some of the comments i've seen of Gaborik are true but some are pretty unwarrented and are just said because you have Nash now so people are picking at Gaboriks downfalls that much more. Ranger fans should just be pumped to have 2 players of that skill on the same team, Nash is a creative guy who can mesmerize you and pick corners with a pretty accurate and decent wrister and Gaborik is a guy that can blow by just about any player in the league and has an insane shot.

People were picking on Gaborik before the Rangers acquired Nash. Some people don't like that he's a kind of quiet, non physical player. I can't exactly call him a floater, cuz he goes to the net and scores a ton of garbage style goals (like his second goal last night), but some people basically expect him to have all the positive attributes of Nash and still have his insane speed, wrist shot, etc. Some people just don't like that style of player

 

[Nash Money]

I've been so impressed with Nash's penalty killing and passing. I know he didn't play with a ton of talent in Columbus, but his assists numbers don't do him justice... and sadly it seems like they may not this year, as he should have a few more tallies in that column if his teammates could finish.

 

[The Gloaming]

Out there in the last seconds of a 2-1 game. Was probably just replacing Callahan, but great to see that Torts trusts him defensively. And he's a beast on the PK.

 

[Fitzy]

Are you talking talent alone? I mean.... this trio of Nash-Richards-Gaborik is gonna be a lot better than either of those groups were.

Lindros's high water mark here was his first year in 2001 when he scored 37 goals and 36 assists for 73 points. Bure had 20 points in his 12 games here that season.

The next season Lindros fell off to 19 goals and 53 assists in a full 81 gmaes, and Bure had 19 goals and 11 assists in 39 games, and Kovalev had 10 goals and 3 assists in 24 games.

That was never an elite grouping. Maybe you are thinking of the FLY line with Fleury-Lindros-York, who netted 79 total goals in 2001, but frankly I think it will not be too hard for Nash-Richards-Gaborik to top that in an 82 game season. 30-20-30 will do it, and that is being conservative.

Nash and Gaborik are potential 40 goals scorers.

Gretzky-Messier-Robitaille 25-36-24 goals, which is 85, that may be harder to top.

But the pace that Nash-Richards-Gaborik are on right now is 136, so....

I meant on talent. Over a full 82 game season I'd expect 100 goals from the three players. Thats the sort of contribution I expect. That still leaves us with another 150 or so to go, so its very important that this team gets production from the 2nd and 3rd lines.

 

[Stepanformayor*]

I realize the Nash-Richard's-Gaborik line is Sexy, and that's what everyone wants. I get that.. But for the betterment of the team i say it's time to try Nash with Stepan. Richard's in my opinion has been nearly invisible despite a couple lucky bounces thus far i don't think i've heard his name in a week or better. This guy's in the sunset of his carrer fella's sorry!

 

[Kreider Typical]

I realize the Nash-Richard's-Gaborik line is Sexy, and that's what everyone wants. I get that.. But for the betterment of the team i say it's time to try Nash with Stepan. Richard's in my opinion has been nearly invisible despite a couple lucky bounces thus far i don't think i've heard his name in a week or better. This guy's in the sunset of his carrer fella's sorry!

for at least a full game--

i'd also like to see gaborik/stepan/nash with richards centering hagelin and callahan(pyatt). richards can do more on his own than stepan and nash and gaborik do all the work together. i think torts is looking for us to at least be in the top 8(or a REALLY bad loss) before going back to another format

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I also want to see GNR broken up.

Nash needs to get a little more selfish, and you gotta think he feels pressure to spread things around to Gabby and Richards.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I realize the Nash-Richard's-Gaborik line is Sexy, and that's what everyone wants. I get that.. But for the betterment of the team i say it's time to try Nash with Stepan. Richard's in my opinion has been nearly invisible despite a couple lucky bounces thus far i don't think i've heard his name in a week or better. This guy's in the sunset of his carrer fella's sorry!

Nash and Richards have been dynamic together. Keep them a tandem and throw Gaborik on Stepan's wing - they showed some chemistry last season.

Either way, Stepan needs help on the 2nd line. His line, no matter who is on the wings, has been a black hole offensively at even strength.

 

[Dangleberry]

Maybe we should see the return of the Run BMC line and move Nash down.

 

[LaGu]

for at least a full game--

i'd also like to see gaborik/stepan/nash with richards centering hagelin and callahan(pyatt). richards can do more on his own than stepan and nash and gaborik do all the work together. i think torts is looking for us to at least be in the top 8(or a REALLY bad loss) before going back to another format

This season is too short, there's neither the time nor the patience to start experimenting with the lines right now. They are at the limit right now at 8th but with a couple of really strong teams between 9th and 15th. If that line keeps on being the scoring line of this team there will be no changes unless they go on a loosing streak or at the first losses after a longer winning streak.

 

[Stepanformayor*]

I still don't get the fasination wth Richard's.. I know iv'e spent a little too much time at The Puck as of late, but this guy again last night at least IMO was Invisible. He get's to play with Nash and Gabby night in and night out. How often since he's been here has he turned head's with his great play?... For what he's getting paid he should have 10-12 points already. For some reason people like to get on the young guy's who are still developing...Stepan-Hag's-Kreider etc. and let the $7 million overpaid veteren slide.. IMO he hasn't come even close to living up to expectations since he's been in NY. I say we start turning up the pressure on guys like Richard's to start living up to their contract's and lay off the 20 year olds for now.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

After last night I don't want to see Nash and Richards split up, they have good chemistry and they are starting to connect on some pretty speak passing plays. The problem however, is that when Nash gets it from Richards he usually tries to find Gaborik. I want Gaborik moved down with Stepan and Hagelin because they play well together, put Pyatt or Callahan with Nash and Richards.

 

[Kokoschka]

You're all overrating him. I know from a very good source that he's no more than the 2nd coming of Chris Higgins.