The big names of Summer 2018 NHL free agency are off the board. There are still players available who can help the Anaheim Ducks. For many reasons, Rick Nash isn’t one of those players.
As the offseason continues to drag on and Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray makes everyone wait, I’m here to talk about a potential free agent that just screams Bob Murray. His name is Rick Nash.
Nash, now 34, became a free agent on July 1. Last spring he was acquired by the Boston Bruins via trade, after almost six years on Broadway. In 71 games with both, New York and Boston, Nash finished the 2017-2018 season with 34 points, 2 points less than his last two seasons with New York.
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Not in Our House
Does Anaheim need a guy like Nash? Absolutely not. Don’t get me wrong, Rick Nash is a talented guy but honestly, he’s not the Rick Nash of the 2000’s. He’s expensive and just doesn’t fit what Bob Murray said how he wants this team to play moving forward (ie fast).
So why even bring him up if it’s a going to be a hard no, Jake? It’s worth mentioning him because Nash is one of those guys that Bob Murray loves to bring in. The down on their luck veteran who isn’t the same guy he was 5 years ago but still shows signs of being ok.
I’ve been pretty complacent with the moves the Anaheim Ducks made this offseason and in past seasons for the most part. I’d be upset should Anaheim give a contract to Nash.
It’s one thing to get depth guys that aren’t going to put a big dent in the cap, and another by signing a guy who’s regressing at a quickly with an expensive contract! The Ducks don’t need to carry this burden on their payroll. With all due respect to Nash, Anaheim doesn’t need veterans, it needs some youth.
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Now that I’ve finished ranting, I want to close this by saying regardless of what Murray decides to do this offseason, the fans have no control over it. Ducks Nation has to just deal with it. Fans are entitled to feel upset, happy, etc. with what GMBM does. At the end of the day, those decisions are out of their hands.