Blue Jackets deal Nash to Rangers

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Kathy Willens / The Associated Press Archives Rick Nash may thrive on a perennial contender like the Rangers, but will now have to deal with life under the fan and media spotlight. (CP)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The wait to land in a new city and with a new team is over for Rick Nash. Finally, after months of speculation, the high-scoring forward was dealt on Monday. And the destination was not a surprise.

He's gone from Blue Jacket to Blueshirt.

"There was a lot of limbo for sure," Nash said. "It was a tough period. The good thing now is it's over and I can look forward to next year."

Nash was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the New York Rangers for three players and a first-round draft pick. The all-star, who first went to Columbus management in January and asked to be dealt, heads to Manhattan in exchange for forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov along with defenceman Tim Erixon and a first-round draft pick in 2013.

Nash, at 28, is the oldest of the players in the deal, and was shipped along with a third-round pick and a minor-league defenceman to the Rangers, who can use offence. Nash is a former NHL goal-scoring champion who has never played for a contender, but could blossom under the bright lights of the big city.

"We're happy to have a five-time all-star on our team and a 40-goal scorer," said New York general manager Glen Sather, who was also happy he didn't have to break up the young core of his team any more than he did. "He will help us immensely."

Talks heated up over the weekend between Sather and Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson. And by Monday afternoon, a day before labour talks resume between the NHL and the players' association in Toronto, the long-rumoured deal was done.

Howson began his comments at a news conference by thanking Nash for his contributions over a nine-year career in Columbus as he became the face of the franchise. Howson conceded the fans might need some time to take it all in.

"This is difficult for people to accept when you trade what is arguably your best player," he said. "We understand the fans (might find it) difficult to understand this or (be) upset with this. But this is something that we did because we think it's going to better our hockey club. We got the right value for Rick.

"And it's all about moving forward."

For both sides, of course. The deal, after all, gives the Rangers a big, sturdy right wing to add to their core of solid young players and also helps them counter moves other Eastern Conference powers made this off-season. Nash will join a New York offence that includes captain Ryan Callahan, Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik.

"They are already one of the top teams in the league. The players they have are pretty impressive," Nash said. "In finding a team, I thought the Rangers were perfect. They are a great fit for my style."

The Rangers were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season and just missed out on the Presidents' Trophy for most regular-season points. New York defeated Ottawa and Washington in the playoffs before losing to New Jersey in the conference finals in six games. Nash immediately improves its credentials and gets it -- on paper, at least -- closer to its first Stanley Cup since 1994.

"This changes the complexion of our team," Sather said. "He is a world-class player. This kind of quality hockey player doesn't come along very often."

The move to New York and a perennial playoff team should be a boon to his career, although it will require a major alteration in his lifestyle. Quiet and almost shy, Nash enjoyed playing golf at nice courses and walking around Columbus virtually unnoticed. That will end when he takes his act to the Big Apple.

Nash is in the third year of an eight-year contract he signed in 2010 that has an average annual value of $7.8 million. The total salary-cap hit of Dubinsky, Anisimov and Erixon is almost exactly the same.

One of the most decorated players in the league, Nash helped his native Canada win the gold medal in the 2010 Olympics. He also has played in four world championships, leading Canada to gold in 2007 and silver in 2005 and 2008. Plus, he shared the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2004, scoring 41 goals to lead the league along with Ilya Kovalchuk, then of Atlanta, and Calgary's Jarome Iginla.

Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said he was pleased by one aspect in particular of the trade.

"I'm glad that he's in the East," he said with a laugh.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 24, 2012 D4