Buyer beware

The NHL trade deadline rarely goes by without rumours swirling regarding the one or two big fish that are said to be available each year. This year, that fish seems to be the Columbus Blue Jackets captain; Rick Nash. Rick Nash has spent his entire nine-year career with the Blue Jackets, and is one of the few players of note that the franchise has ever had. He's a fantastic player, and has been very patient with the franchise's nearly constant inability to be a playoff contender, but finally it seems that he's had enough. Nash is ready to waive his no trade clause to part ways from the only NHL team he's ever played for, and there's a good chance that he will be traded away to a "contender" by the February 27th deadline. Of course, he will be pursued by any team that can offer Columbus an appealing package; a player of his calibre does not become available very often. Any team looking to beef up for a shot at the Cup will make an offer, but this makes me wonder-- should they?
As it goes when any big name is up for grabs, the New York Rangers are rumoured to be heavily involved in acquiring Nash. If the Rangers were to be successful in their pursuit, their top-six forwards would include: Nash, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, and Brad Richards. That's downright scary. However, one would wonder if this is this a move that is in the Rangers' best interest at this time? No, it is not. Nor is it for any other genuine Stanley Cup contender.
A trade for Rick Nash would not be like a trade for any other NHL regular. You cannot simply make up a package willy-nilly and cut a deal. Nash is an impact player, and moving him would demand impact players in return. Do the Rangers really want to make that kind of move at this point of the season? Their 3-0 defeat of the Boston Bruins earlier this week proved that they are the class of the Eastern Conference, and perhaps even the class of the NHL. The Rangers have passed every test that they have encountered this year in defeating the other contenders, plus they have a fantastic coaching staff, and their roster from top to bottom is one that is structured for a shot at Stanley.
So why would it make sense to mess with a winning formula? Rumours suggest that in order to acquire Nash, the Rangers would have to part ways with forwards Artem Anisimov, and Brandon Dubinsky, as well as some prospects and draft picks. Although Anisimov and Dubinsky are by no means the club's marquee players, they are still important parts of the team. A Stanley Cup contending team isn't all goal scorers, and a star goalie. The best teams are ones that have diversity within, and diversity of personalities is imperative to team success. The reason that other teams hate playing against the Rangers isn't only because of having to solve Henrik Lundqvist; Anisimov and Dubinsky both are both fantastic teammates and they make games against the Rangers difficult. A change of this magnitude in the dressing room at this point of the season would not be a move to win the Stanley Cup this year. The entire team focus and dynamic would change and they may be hard-pressed to quickly re-discover their identity. It's just how teams work. They need time to gel after big moves, and the playoff stretch-run is not the time for this to happen. Moves like this are what the summer is for. If the Rangers, or any other contender (believe me, Nash will only agree to go to a team that he views as a contender) for that matter want his services, they would be best off to wait until the the NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh to make a move happen. Recent history has proven it. How did the Sharks fare when they traded for Brian Campbell? Did the Penguins win the Cup when they traded for Marian Hossa? What about when the Devils got Ilya Kovalchuk?
Don't get me wrong, Rick Nash will be a tremendous addition for whatever team picks him up, but that move would be suited best for the off-season, when there's plenty of  time to get a winning formula in place. A team that wants him now could very well win the Cup this spring, and again with him next spring. However risking what is working right now, isn't worth missing out on the Cup. The Rangers and others can win without him.

-@BradMac91

-@KeontoDion #K2D


With all the talk of Rick Nash being traded, please vote on the sidebar poll on who Nash will end up with! My bet is on Los Angeles, the Kings have what the Jackets need (prospects and a disposable goalie) and the Jackets have what the Kings need (Nash). Sound off in the comments section, and vote on the poll!