Player Discussion Rick Nash

[Crease]

I feel bad, he always gave effort and you can see he feels bad for his lack of production.

This is true.

 

[hella rights]

Like you've already mentioned, the biggest problem for Nash is that his shot is garbage and that he can never lift the puck, in any situation. All his goals are at ice level with preferably an open net. He's stuck in a decade where he isn't effective and he can look as cool as he want, as long as he fires logo shots or slides the puck into the pads of the general butterfly goalie while looking mighty impressive with his power moves.

I don't get it. How hard can it be to practice to lift a ****ing puck at least once in 50 shots? The only hope is that some desperate up and coming playoff team will trade hard for the illusion that he's still a first line winger. Or, if the Rangers could re-sign him for about $4-5m or so as a second-third line tweener with a solid two way game, that isn't relied upon whatsoever to bring anything offensively.

If you can't trade him and he won't re-sign for less than $5m, dump him. What he brings is useless for anything above that and even $5m is stretching it, really. He's a passenger on this team with a name and an old reputation alot bigger than his actual game. What an unique story on the stretching NYR resort franchise that is creeping back.

This may be related, but whenever Nash takes a shot, doesn't it seem like he's usually fighting through a defender or two? That is, a lot of shots in the NHL are contested in one way or another, but players like Zibanejad and Buchnevich find ways to create openings for shots even when they're covered. More often than not, Nash just tries to bully his way past defenders, and the resulting shot is either weak as he's stick checked or falling down, or it's deflected away. Like he needs to get as close possible to the net, with the ideal shot being a stuff-in. Makes me think he's battling some kind of hand/elbow/shoulder injury. If I recall correctly he used to have a pretty lethal wrister and was dangerous from farther out. If he's healthy, I don't understand then why he's passing on these shots in favor of the bull-in-a-china-shop approach because it's clearly not working

 

[NickyFotiu]

I think Nash's goals and production would go up a lot if he looked to move the puck more to the open side of the ice instead of trying to get shots off against multiple guys. Right now he is kind of like an old style post up man in hoops that the guards know they can safely go double team because he will rarely kick the ball over to their open man. If Nash gave up the puck a bit more it would likely find its way back to him especially playing with the unselfish guys on his line.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I have to give Nash credit. He made a good pass on the OT goal by Shatty.

 

[Chimpradamus]

 

[HellasLEAF]

Nash is my favourite non Leaf player. felt he would have a big season being UFA. Let me ask this question gents. Who would you choose if you have to have one player this year. Yes it's fantasy. Nasher or Buch

 

[cozandeffect]

Nash is my favourite non Leaf player. felt he would have a big season being UFA. Let me ask this question gents. Who would you choose if you have to have one player this year. Yes it's fantasy. Nasher or Buch

Buch and it's not close especially assuming you have PPP as a category.

 

[offdacrossbar]

I feel bad, he always gave effort and you can see he feels bad for his lack of production.

so much feeling. bad.

so feeling bad for sucking somehow negates or minimizes the actual suckage ?

ok then.

 

[Fvital92]

so much feeling. bad.

so feeling bad for sucking somehow negates or minimizes the actual suckage ?

ok then.

He doesn't suck. He is a good player who cannot score like he used to do and so he can't live up his contract.
For 4mil he would be a great asset for this team.

 

[offdacrossbar]

6 points in 15 games for a guy who is supposed to be a scorer and lead this team or be near the top in scoring. the expectations are too high, so thats the problem then ? unrealistic expectations ?

instead, we have a 8 million dollar checking winger who tries hard and has bad luck.

he does get the occasional 2nd assist though.......

 

[Inferno]

6 points in 15 games for a guy who is supposed to be a scorer and lead this team or be near the top in scoring. the expectations are too high, so thats the problem then ? unrealistic expectations ?

instead, we have a 8 million dollar checking winger who tries hard and has bad luck.

he does get the occasional 2nd assist though.......

if you could just make this post your signature..and like..not say the same thing 85000000 times that woudl be great.

 

[Leonardo87]

He doesn't suck. He is a good player who cannot score like he used to do and so he can't live up his contract.
For 4mil he would be a great asset for this team.

This pretty much hits the nail on the head. It's not just about the points/goals that determine if he is bad or not, its just that he was brought in to score, but he cant play up to that contract, but he is still a solid two way player in the NHL, who is way overpaid.

 

[offdacrossbar]

if you could just make this post your signature..and like..not say the same thing 85000000 times that woudl be great.

thats a solid idea. i like it.

last 10 games the nash -o- meter says :

3 goals 3 assists and his sparking 5.7 shooting % yr to date defies reality.

he is the 2nd WORST shooter in the ENTIRE league so far this season with 53 shots and 5.7%

hes on a 35 point pace. points not goals. thats sad.

 

[True Blue]

This pretty much hits the nail on the head. It's not just about the points/goals that determine if he is bad or not, its just that he was brought in to score, but he cant play up to that contract, but he is still a solid two way player in the NHL, who is way overpaid.

$4m for a third line player is still too much. Is he a good two way player? Yes. But his days as a top 6 forward should probably be done.

 

[Leonardo87]

$4m for a third line player is still too much. Is he a good two way player? Yes. But his days as a top 6 forward should probably be done.

I think anywhere from 3 million to 4 million is good for a 3rd line player, who can hit 30 to 40 points while playing a more shutdown role and provide secondary scoring. Also depends how good they are on special teams.

 

[True Blue]

I think anywhere from 3 million to 4 million is good for a 3rd line player, who can hit 30 to 40 points while playing a more shutdown role and provide secondary scoring. Also depends how good they are on special teams.

IMO, his days as a 40 point player are over and as he continues to age and depreciate, his ability to hit 30 will dwindle as well.

 

[NickyFotiu]

6 points in 15 games for a guy who is supposed to be a scorer and lead this team or be near the top in scoring. the expectations are too high, so thats the problem then ? unrealistic expectations ?

instead, we have a 8 million dollar checking winger who tries hard and has bad luck.

he does get the occasional 2nd assist though.......

LOL the assist off his skate counts as a first assist

To be fair he did get a legit first assist to Shatty for the game winner.

 

[InvalidBeard]

Curious to me that these guys never seem to change their curve. Nash has been playing with that same heal curve forever. I get that he's had all of this success with it, and it allows him to emphasize his power/puck protection style, but as you age, and the league changes, you need to adapt a bit. As has been said repeatedly, his shot is garbage. I don't expect him to ever be ripping snappers through screens from the top of the circle a la Gaborik, but a small adjustment to help him put the puck where he wants/elevate when in close would seemingly do wonders. So often he's right on the door step and just slams it into the goalie's outstretched pad. As an aside, anyone playing with Nash could have a field day if they just crashed the net when it's on his stick. He still consistently gets the puck to the net dragging defenders and makes the goalie kick out a tough rebound.

 

[RangerLifer]

LOL the assist off his skate counts as a first assist

To be fair he did get a legit first assist to Shatty for the game winner.

That was a beautiful goal.

 

[haveandare]

This just in, player who signed huge, long-term career deal not living up to the very end of it.

More shocking details at 11.

 

[haveandare]

Curious to me that these guys never seem to change their curve. Nash has been playing with that same heal curve forever. I get that he's had all of this success with it, and it allows him to emphasize his power/puck protection style, but as you age, and the league changes, you need to adapt a bit. As has been said repeatedly, his shot is garbage. I don't expect him to ever be ripping snappers through screens from the top of the circle a la Gaborik, but a small adjustment to help him put the puck where he wants/elevate when in close would seemingly do wonders. So often he's right on the door step and just slams it into the goalie's outstretched pad. As an aside, anyone playing with Nash could have a field day if they just crashed the net when it's on his stick. He still consistently gets the puck to the net dragging defenders and makes the goalie kick out a tough rebound.

Agreed. Literally anything he can do that would possibly help him elevate the puck more would be huge. I've said before, I don't know what his issue elevating his shot is. It's really mind boggling. It's not a terribly hard skill period, let alone for someone of his skill set and with his resume. Just lift the damn puck.

 

[will1066]

He got a deflection goal the other night. So in AV's world, he stays in the top six forever. Forever.

 

[haveandare]

Nash is my favourite non Leaf player. felt he would have a big season being UFA. Let me ask this question gents. Who would you choose if you have to have one player this year. Yes it's fantasy. Nasher or Buch

Buch without any doubt at all.

 

[will1066]

I think Nash's goals and production would go up a lot if he looked to move the puck more to the open side of the ice instead of trying to get shots off against multiple guys. Right now he is kind of like an old style post up man in hoops that the guards know they can safely go double team because he will rarely kick the ball over to their open man. If Nash gave up the puck a bit more it would likely find its way back to him especially playing with the unselfish guys on his line.

Even in previous years, he was a puck hog with his post-up style, like you said. When you used to dominate, you learn that you don't have to use the guys around you. It is this that is killing him now. You can't change dye-in-the-wool type guys. Nash is old school. His slower hands are betraying him, and it is in his best interest to adapt his game, try to be more of a playmaker. But you know that won't happen.

 

[offdacrossbar]

nash is pretty much what he is now.

rather than score, he's left to be judged by effort and trying. numbers are glossed over by the glare of empty talent irrespective of results. he's always close and certainly looks the part all while failing.

hes like that natural sales guy that cant close any deals. he's eventually let go only to end up as a customer service rep someplace.