Thirteen Years Ago: The New York Rangers Acquired Superstar Forward From Columbus
Photo credit: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
On this day today, 13 years ago, the New York Rangers completed an exhilarating trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, sending Rick Nash to Madison Square Garden. The Blue Jackets lost their superstar forward, and gained Artem Anisimov, and Brandon Dubinsky.
In the 2010s, the New York Rangers were on a Cup hunt and were attempting to build the roster with the best players possible in the NHL.
The Rangers would acquire Rick Nash on July 23, 2012, and he would be a pivotal part of the team, which would make it to the Stanley Cup finals in 2013-14 and conference finals in 2014-15.
The team had been vying for his services at the trade deadline, and unscrupulous GM Scott Howson of the Blue Jackets had unreasonable demands in trade for Nash.
The Blueshirts were ultimately defeated in the Eastern Conference Final by the New Jersey Devils, and it was a playoff run highlighted by their inability to score goals for Henrik Lundqvist. During that run the Rangers legend posted a .931 save percentage and 1.82 goals against average in 20 games.
That loss would trigger the urgency to acquire a superstar forward in Rick Nash.
The Rangers would receive Rick Nash, Steven Delisle, and a 2013 3rd-round pick, while the Blue Jackets would get Tim Erixson, Artemi Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, and a 2012 1st-round pick.
The Rangers would be limited in what they could get out of their superstar forward, as his time in New York would be limited by injuries and concussions.
He'd play in 375 games with the Rangers, scoring 252 points (107-145), In the playoffs, he'd fare no better, scoring 38 points (14-24) in 73 games, with a shooting percentage of 5.6%.
On February 25, 2018, the Rangers dealt Nash to the Boston Bruins in a deal that netted them Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey, Ryan Lindgren, and a first round pick in the 2018. The first round pick ultimately turned into K'Andre Miller
Much like Nash's tenure, Ryan Lindgren and K'Andre Miller would turn out to be pivotal players in the team's lineup, making multiple trips to the postseason, but would never win the ultimate prize.
Since then, Miller has been dealt to Carolina for draft picks and prospect Scott Morrow.
While Ryan Lindgren was traded for Juuso Parssinen, Calvin de Haan (no longer a Ranger).
The tree is a bit disappointing for Rangers fans, as the return has been underwhelming all along the way.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 23 | 81 ANSWERS Thirteen Years Ago: The New York Rangers Acquired Superstar Forward From Columbus If forward Rick Nash was healthy during his time as a New York Ranger, could they have won the Stanley Cup? | ||
| Yes | 54 | 66.7 % |
| No | 27 | 33.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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