Our long national nightmare has officially come to an end – Rick Nash has been officially traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for, well, maybe less than you expected.
The return for the man who’s been dangled on the trade block for the past 18 months or so are forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, defenseman Tim Erixon and the Rangers’ 1st round pick in next year’s draft. Columbus also sent minor leaguer Steven Delisle and a conditional third round pick that would return to Columbus if NY makes the Cup Final next year.
After so much waiting and speculation, the return for Nash seems good, but perhaps not all it could have been. Dubinsky and Anisimov are two promising young centers (but not that young, and with debatable ceilings) and Erixon also fits the promising youngster mold on defense. Of course, as Justin Bourne of Backhand Shelf said on Twitter, Columbus could use a full lineup of actual NHLers.
One interesting point that was revealed by ESPN’s EJ Hradek via Twitter,
CBJ GM Scott Howson on the impact of Nash’s no trade clause: “Rick Nash was in control of this process in terms of where he wanted to go.”
Everyone was aware of Nash’s no-trade clause, but it’s interesting to speculate on how Nash’s demands limited Howson’s ability to negotiate. Was NY the only team that Nash was willing to go to, even after making his short list of trade destinations? Is it fair for a player to have that type of power over ownership?
Seeing what NY gave up to get Nash, what do you think the Sabres would have had to pony up for the talented winger? Leave your own trade proposals in the comments.