Following weeks of bracing for a trade, Rick Nash, a linchpin for the Rangers since coming over in a 2012 blockbuster trade, was dealt Sunday morning to the Bruins for a 2018 first-round pick, Ryan Spooner, 20-year-old defensive prospect Ryan Lindgren, Matt Beleskey and a 2019 seventh-round pick.
That's a good haul by GM Jeff Gorton, who also brought in a 2018 second-rounder and Yegor Rykov from New Jersey for Michael Grabner, and a 2018 third-rounder and Rob O'Gara from Boston for Nick Holden.
Boston is retaining 50 percent of Beleskey's contract, which is currently buried in the AHL and carries an annual $3.8 million cap hit through 2019-20, while the Rangers retain 50 percent of Nash's pro-rated $7.8 million cap hit. Spooner was set to play Sunday night against Detroit assuming he didn't experience travel issues.
The Rangers now have two picks in each of the first three rounds of the 2018 NHL draft.
It's been certain for weeks that Nash, a pending unrestricted free agent, would be dealt before Monday's 3 p.m. trade deadline. The Rangers even took the precautionary measure of scratching Nash the previous two games to avoid an injury risk. Grabner was also scratched Thursday in Montreal before being dealt to the Devils.
"He's definitely one of the best 200-foot players I've had the opportunity to coach," Alain Vigneault said of Nash. "Very responsible at both ends, came to play and was a real good teammate. Real good part of (being) an extension of the coaches in the dressing room to make sure that guys understood the culture and did the right things."
Quite the coincidence it is for the Rangers to send such a significant piece to Boston with them retiring Sunday night the No. 19 of Jean Ratelle, who was shipped to Boston in an earth-shattering trade on Nov. 7, 1975 along with Brad Park and Joe Zanussi for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais.
Nash arrived from Columbus on July 23, 2012 while Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov went to the Blue Jackets. The Rangers acquired the 2002 No. 1 overall draft selection with six years left on an eight-year, $62.4 million contract. In his first season as a Ranger, the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, Nash had 42 points in 44 games and he peaked with a career-high 42 goals during the 2014-15 season.
In 73 playoff games over the last five years Nash had 38 points, and in the last three regular seasons his point production dropped off _ 102 points in 187 games. However, Nash still has great hands, is difficult to move off the puck, provides a net-front presence on the power play, is a strong defensive forward and quality penalty killer. And he always had the respect of his teammates.
"I just enjoyed watching him competing every day," Henrik Lundqvist said. "Such a pro. He shows up to the rink every day, works hard. I think he shows a lot of these young guys how to play the game. It's not all about points and scoring _ even though he is one of the better skill players we've had here. It's about the work ethic and how much you're willing to give yourself and the team. I think he was outstanding here. That's something I'm gonna miss a lot."
