The Rick Nash sweepstakes appears to be over, and the New York Rangers are looking like the winners.
NHL analyst Darren Dreger of TSN posted on Monday afternoon to his Twitter account (@DarrenDreger), "Rick Nash to New York Rangers in process now. Details to follow."
Nash, who has been on the trading block for months, has long been linked to the Rangers, and was nearly moved to New York at the trade deadline. However, the high demands of Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson - believed at various times to include Rangers forward Derek Stepan, emerging stud defenseman Ryan McDonagh, and/or playoff sensation Chris Kreider - have proved a major stumbling block for dealings between Howson and Rangers GM Glen Sather...at least until now, apparently.
The 28-year-old Nash was the first overall pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, and is one of only five NHL players to score 30 goals or more in each of the last five seasons. An Olympic gold medalist with Canada in 2010, Nash had 30 goals and 29 assists in 2011-12 for 59 points, his lowest point total since 2006-07.
It had been speculated in the days since Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber signed a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers that the move could put pressure on the Rangers to acquire Nash and keep pace with their Atlantic Division rivals. However, while it's uncertain how the Predators will respond to the offer sheet, the Rangers appear to be surging ahead.
More on this story as it develops.
