Rick Nash

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

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.

Ha, what a bunch of baloney.

The Nash-Richards-Gaborik line have been absolutely carrying this team offensively. You're really suggesting that Richards isnt a part of that? Hes been the catalyst for that line - an absolutely brilliant playmaker and I love watching him play.

By contrast, Stepan, Kreider, Callahan, and before last night, Hagelin, have done absolutely nothing at even strength this season. So yea, Im going to keep asking them to play better.

 

[Kokoschka]

Right. In 6 games, Richards should've had 10 or 12 points. I mean c'mon, how hard is this in the NHL.

 

[Boom Boom Geoffrion*]

I was very opposed to acquiring Nash. He's playing much better than he was in Clb. The biggest difference I see so far, is desire. He's competing harder. Guess he has a little more to play for, although that's a bit of an excuse.

I said it then, I hope he proves me wrong. So far, he has.

Screw his point total. It's meaningless. A bigger concern for this team in the past has been creating scoring opportunities, and that's exactly what Nash has provided.

Thrilled with his play. Glad I'm eating crow. It tastes ****ing delicious and I hope I can enjoy it all year round

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I was very opposed to acquiring Nash. He's playing much better than he was in Clb. The biggest difference I see so far, is desire. He's competing harder. Guess he has a little more to play for, although that's a bit of an excuse.

I said it then, I hope he proves me wrong. So far, he has.

Screw his point total. It's meaningless. A bigger concern for this team in the past has been creating scoring opportunities, and that's exactly what Nash has provided.

Thrilled with his play. Glad I'm eating crow. It tastes ****ing delicious and I hope I can enjoy it all year round

While it was an assumption, it was a rather simply assumption he'd up his battle level here. Any athlete would be broken down by the terrible situation in Columbus where, after 10 years, the best center he had was Vermette. Thats disgusting.

 

[Graves94]

I'm very happy with Nash's effort and pleasantly surprised with his play away from the puck, but now he has to start scoring! He's had many great clear cut chances and has not buried any yet (yes, I know he has 1 goal). With Cally out, we will need increased production fom everyone, especially him!

 

[Kovalev27]

so richie should have 12 pts in 6 games to justify his contract?

what is wrong with this board today?

richie was great on both sides last night made alot of great plays. but with cally out they will need to break up the top line

 

[Dorado*]

Great two way game so far creating tons of chances not happy he not scoring especially against all these division rivals .

 

[Stepanformayor*]

Ha, what a bunch of baloney.

The Nash-Richards-Gaborik line have been absolutely carrying this team offensively. You're really suggesting that Richards isnt a part of that? Hes been the catalyst for that line - an absolutely brilliant playmaker and I love watching him play.

By contrast, Stepan, Kreider, Callahan, and before last night, Hagelin, have done absolutely nothing at even strength this season. So yea, Im going to keep asking them to play better.

Nash and Gabby have been excellent.. Richard's at least IMO is overated and has not lived up to the On ice hype and Money being paid since he's been in NYC.. Maybe he's a great locker room guy. Not sure.. Richard's money could have been spent much more wisely IMO than it was.. Because he has 2 more points than Stepan he's a Catalyist or Carrying this team Offensively?..Stepan would be every bit as good between Nash and Gabby.. I'm not sayin' he's reached Richard's PAST credentials, just saying Richard's IMO if you put him with Callahan & Pyatt would be struggling to score as well..With all due respect i just can't understand that type of thinking that someone with 2 more point's than someone else is a Catalyst..

 

[Inferno]

Nash is shooting at something like 4%, his career average is something like 13%...once his shooting gets back to norm his goals will go up, he's been snakebit, some ridonkulous saves have been made on him, but he's still putting up points. He's been tremendous.

My only concern with him so far is that his play seems to get slower throughout the game. early in the game he tends to fly, and then late in games his speed slows considerably. conditioning?

 

[ecemleafs]

Nash is also scoring at a PPG despite an unsustainable low shooting percentage...

 

[Boom Boom Geoffrion*]

Nash and Gabby have been excellent.. Richard's at least IMO is overated and has not lived up to the On ice hype and Money being paid since he's been in NYC.. Maybe he's a great locker room guy. Not sure.. Richard's money could have been spent much more wisely IMO than it was.. Because he has 2 more points than Stepan he's a Catalyist or Carrying this team Offensively?..Stepan would be every bit as good between Nash and Gabby.. I'm not sayin' he's reached Richard's PAST credentials, just saying Richard's IMO if you put him with Callahan & Pyatt would be struggling to score as well..With all due respect i just can't understand that type of thinking that someone with 2 more point's than someone else is a Catalyst..

You're either blind, or delusional. Richards was sluggish the first few games as he was recovering from the flu, but he's been fine the last few games. There's already chemistry with that 1st line, and Richards has very much to do with it.

Just an opinion here, but if you think he should have a dozen points already just goes to show you how ridiculous your expectations are of him. Sounds like you have a personal issue with the guy and you're trying to convince us to believe in your asinine opinion.

Sorry, but we're not that stupid. We've been watching the game long enough to know that Richards is very much a catalyst and ultimately improves this team. The only thing you're doing here, is convincing people you don't have a keen understanding of the game, and/or you personally dislike the guy.

 

[Boom Boom Geoffrion*]

While it was an assumption, it was a rather simply assumption he'd up his battle level here. Any athlete would be broken down by the terrible situation in Columbus where, after 10 years, the best center he had was Vermette. Thats disgusting.

10 years is a long time... I totally get it..

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Also, how could the Rangers have better spent the Richards money? Not talking term here, just money.

100% perfect players don't make it to UFA. And if we had waited, Christensen might still be our first line center and I guarantee you this team wouldn't have Cup aspirations.

 

[silverfish]

Also, how could the Rangers have better spent the Richards money? Not talking term here, just money.

100% perfect players don't make it to UFA. And if we had waited, Christensen might still be our first line center and I guarantee you this team wouldn't have Cup aspirations.

That's the kind of thing nightmares are made from

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

He's been better the last two games.

Still making some bad decisions with the puck every so often. But he was good last night, aside from the penalty. Which he made up for when he got out of the box to help finish kill off the other penalty.

There is nothing wrong with having higher expectations for your best players. I hold Richards to a higher standard, because of the player I have liked and he's been through his whole career.

He was also much better on faceoffs last night.

 

[Samuel Culper III]

I'm thrilled with Nash so far. I'm sure the goals are right around the corner. He's still developing chemistry with the team. Gaborik and him seem to have found something, but otherwise, I don't think his points are the result of any chemistry but rather just his raw skill. I also think he still forgets this isn't Columbus sometimes and tries to do too much. When he learns to use his teammates more, he'll be able to draw defenders in, dish the puck and then get open and get it back.

Richards, I'm content with and don't think we should have spent the money otherwise or anything like that, but I do think he's a bit overrated by our fan base. Sometimes he seems to get points by dumb luck, but I also am fully aware of the fact that any player than can do that regularly is a good player. He is losing a step though; he looks slow this year. Don't mistake this as complaints. I'm perfectly happy with his play. I'm just acknowledging his flaws as well. I don't think he's as good as he's made out to be. That's not the same as saying he isn't good. I think if he made better cross ice passes at the point on the PP I'd be a bit happier, as it frustrates the hell out of me when the errantly throws the puck out of the zone when he's supposed to be an elite passer. But he is filling his role well enough for me to be happy. I do understand where other posters are less impressed though; his overall game doesn't impress me tremendously but his results satisfy all the same.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Im pretty surprised I havent seen many people complaining that Nash "only has 1 goal so far." Luckily, his skills are evident to even the most novice followers of the sport.

The guy is a game breaker, pure and simple. Anytime he gets the puck with just a little bit of space good things happen - usually in the form of chaos ensuing for the opposition.

 

[toewsintangibles]

I'm very happy with Nash's effort and pleasantly surprised with his play away from the puck, but now he has to start scoring! He's had many great clear cut chances and has not buried any yet (yes, I know he has 1 goal). With Cally out, we will need increased production fom everyone, especially him!

Most of his assists have been direct results of his power moves that generate good chances no matter if he scores

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I was very opposed to acquiring Nash. He's playing much better than he was in Clb. The biggest difference I see so far, is desire. He's competing harder. Guess he has a little more to play for, although that's a bit of an excuse.

I said it then, I hope he proves me wrong. So far, he has.

Screw his point total. It's meaningless. A bigger concern for this team in the past has been creating scoring opportunities, and that's exactly what Nash has provided.

Thrilled with his play. Glad I'm eating crow. It tastes ****ing delicious and I hope I can enjoy it all year round

He's CONSTANTLY getting double teamed, too. Opens up the ice for his teammates.

 

[Boom Boom Geoffrion*]

He's CONSTANTLY getting double teamed, too. Opens up the ice for his teammates.

Oh absolutely. And he makes the best of it too, he draws the coverage and dishes the puck.

Gabby's someone who gets double-teamed, and doesn't manage to get the puck to the open guy as much. Nash is so much harder to knock off the puck though. He's a truck.

 

[broadwayblue]

I'm thrilled with Nash so far. I'm sure the goals are right around the corner. He's still developing chemistry with the team. Gaborik and him seem to have found something, but otherwise, I don't think his points are the result of any chemistry but rather just his raw skill. I also think he still forgets this isn't Columbus sometimes and tries to do too much. When he learns to use his teammates more, he'll be able to draw defenders in, dish the puck and then get open and get it back.

Richards, I'm content with and don't think we should have spent the money otherwise or anything like that, but I do think he's a bit overrated by our fan base. Sometimes he seems to get points by dumb luck, but I also am fully aware of the fact that any player than can do that regularly is a good player. He is losing a step though; he looks slow this year. Don't mistake this as complaints. I'm perfectly happy with his play. I'm just acknowledging his flaws as well. I don't think he's as good as he's made out to be. That's not the same as saying he isn't good. I think if he made better cross ice passes at the point on the PP I'd be a bit happier, as it frustrates the hell out of me when the errantly throws the puck out of the zone when he's supposed to be an elite passer. But he is filling his role well enough for me to be happy. I do understand where other posters are less impressed though; his overall game doesn't impress me tremendously but his results satisfy all the same.

Last year I was excoriated by many when I had the audacity to state that Richards is not a top 10 center in the league. He's very good, but not elite, and I just think it's very risky to give out such an expensive and lengthy contract to 30 year old players. I do think we're going to have to take a long, hard look at him next summer as a potential buyout candidate. I'm curious to see how he plays this season and next.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Last year I was excoriated by many when I had the audacity to state that Richards is not a top 10 center in the league. He's very good, but not elite, and I just think it's very risky to give out such an expensive and lengthy contract to 30 year old players. I do think we're going to have to take a long, hard look at him next summer as a potential buyout candidate. I'm curious to see how he plays this season and next.

While I am concerned about the length of the Richards deal, and Im sure I can name 10 center I'd rather have, beggars cant be choosers. He is still a legitimate #1 center on a team that doesnt have a ton of center depth. Considering this team is poised to compete right now, I dont have a major problem with him or his play.

Its not a coincidence that this team went from pretender to contender the moment Brad Richards signed here. The guy is a tried and true professional and still an elite playmaker.

 

[Pizza]

I was very opposed to acquiring Nash. He's playing much better than he was in Clb. The biggest difference I see so far, is desire. He's competing harder. Guess he has a little more to play for, although that's a bit of an excuse.

I said it then, I hope he proves me wrong. So far, he has.

Screw his point total. It's meaningless. A bigger concern for this team in the past has been creating scoring opportunities, and that's exactly what Nash has provided.

Thrilled with his play. Glad I'm eating crow. It tastes ****ing delicious and I hope I can enjoy it all year round

Me as well. Ditto to all of the above.

We sacrificed some depth....but that's part of what depth is for. You have to give to get. If you get a Nash with out giving up too much you have used your depth to good purpose.

 

[Samuel Culper III]

Last year I was excoriated by many when I had the audacity to state that Richards is not a top 10 center in the league. He's very good, but not elite, and I just think it's very risky to give out such an expensive and lengthy contract to 30 year old players. I do think we're going to have to take a long, hard look at him next summer as a potential buyout candidate. I'm curious to see how he plays this season and next.

Well I agree. Personally, I'm happy he's producing, but he has looked a step slower to me thus far. I've been chalking it up to no camp and just needing to get his legs but I do not expect Richards to age particularly well as the contract goes on.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Well I agree. Personally, I'm happy he's producing, but he has looked a step slower to me thus far. I've been chalking it up to no camp and just needing to get his legs but I do not expect Richards to age particularly well as the contract goes on.

Hes never been fast. Hes never been physical. Hes had a very very good NHL career by using primarily his hockey IQ and playmaking ability. Those players tend to age well, all things considered.

Having Nash on his wing for the next several years wont hurt either.