New York Rangers Star on the Trading Block?

Would the New York Rangers ever part ways with one of their dangerous goal scorers? Recent reports indicate that very well might be the case as Rick Nash’s name has started floating around with trade rumors.

The rumors got started with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Saturday as he signaled that the Rangers would consider parting ways with the former 40 goal scorer.

“You’re going to hear a lot of wild rumors this year George, I think this is going to be a crazy season for them and one of the first to hit is Rick Nash of the New York Rangers,” Friedman said. “He has a 12-team list that he can be dealt to and there seems to be a little bit of smoke to this one. I think they’ve been asked. I think they’d be willing to do it under the right circumstances.

“However, there’s a couple things here. No. 1, he’s got a $7.8 million cap hit for two more seasons — how would that work? And No. 2 , while he struggled this year the Rangers really defended him. They felt that Nash played hurt and that affected his totals and I think they do look at it and say if he’s healthy next year he could be much more effective. But he’s going to be a name and the Rangers are going to be a team to watch.”

Nash could certainly fetch a decent return on the trade market, but you have to wonder how his output last season may have affected his overall trade value. Even if Nash was playing hurt, a drop from 41 goals the season prior to only 15 goals this past season may indicate that Nash is on the decline. Those 15 goals are the lowest output of his career, and any potential trade suitors would have to be concerned.

Sportsnet’s John Shannon would later add in his two cents on Twitter. He thinks the motivation behind any potential Nash deal would be to free up enough cap space to take a run at Steven Stamkos during free agency.

With @FriedgeHNIC reporting that Rick Nash might be available this summer…This might put NYR in the Stamkos bidding war.

— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) May 22, 2016