Nash acquisition a big deal for Rangers

  The New York Ranger have got their man.  After months of speculation, the Rangers have finally acquired former # 1 overall  pick Rick Nash from the Columbus Blue jackets in exchange for Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, Artem Anisimov, and a first round draft pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft.   All three players  are talented and can immediately help Columbus.  Dubinsky especially can bounce back and be the player he was a couple of years ago.  But make no mistake, this trade is all about  Nash.
  In acquiring Nash, the Rangers have filled a much needed hole...  goal scoring.  The Rangers lack of production was evident in the playoffs, as they struggled to put the Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals  away, finally succumbing to the New Jersey Devils in the Conference Finals.  The Senators and  Capitals both took the Rangers to 7 games,  and the blue shirts  struggled mightily to score goals.
  With Nash, the Rangers should  again be favored to come on top of the Eastern conference.  Nash is a  two  time 40 goal scorer and a has passed the  30 goal mark seven times.  He is the youngest player in NHL History to ever lead the league in goals  when he tallied 41 times as a 19 year old.  With Marian Gaborik likely to miss the first couple of months of the regular season due to a shoulder injury, Nash will have plenty of time to acquit himself with his new teammates; and will have the luxury of finally playing with some top level talent such as Brad Richards, Ryan Callahan, Gaborik, and up and comers Carl Hagelin and Chris Kreider.  The defence is young, mobile  and solid, and goaltender  Henrik Lundqvist is coming off a Vezina Trophy win.
   In Nash, the Rangers are getting a player who is in his prime, a just turned 28 year old  who is a natural when it comes to scoring goals. He has scored 289 goals and 547 points in 674 games.  With decent but not great speed, great size and reach,  great hands and a quick shot, Nash will quickly become a fan favorite with the Rangers fans.  Nash can score in many different ways .  I feel the Rangers will be very tough to beat this year, and will have something to prove after losing to the Devils in the Conference Finals.  The team is young; Ryan Mcdonagh, Carl Hagelin, Michael Del Zotto, Chris Kreider, Marc Staal, and Derek Stepan  are all under 25 and are all improving.  Captain Ryan Callahan is 27 and defensive anchor Dan Girardi is 28. 
  All this being said, I feel the Rangers will finish first overall again in their conference, and will come out as Eastern Conference Champions once again.  On the other side of the league, The L.A Kings will now get a full season from Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, and a rejuvenated Drew Doughty will once again be a Norris Trophy contender.  Its early, but I'm predicting a Kings-Rangers finals...now lets hope they iron out this collective bargaining issue so we can have a hockey season!

Prust signing is Habs gain, Rangers loss



New Hab Brandon Prust lands a right hand vs Bruins Milan Lucic while a member of the Rangers.

  New Habs GM Marc  Bergevin  made a bold  move this weekend with the free agent signings of Brandon Prust, Colby Armstrong, and Francis Bouillon.  The Prust signing has given the Habs another gritty forward, one who can skate very well, kill penalties, and fight if need be.  Prust brings a lot of intensity and attitude to his game, something the Canadians have lacked in recent years.  As a Rangers fan, I am dissapointed to see him go...  he hadn't missed a game in two years with the blueshirts, and had developed very good chemistry with buddy and linemate Brian Boyle, especially while killing penalties.   Prust brings a lot of passion to his game, and I think it will not take long for him to become a fan favorite.  Even though he is not the biggest guy, Prust will not back down from anyone and he will protect smaller teammates.  Another key factor is that Prust has gotten used to winning, and Im sure he will like to continue this for his new team.    I'm sure the Habs will "play bigger" due to his addition.  The price was steep for a guy who only scored 5 goals this past season, but as I said earlier; it will not take Habs fans long to realize this was an excellent acquisition.
     I hope Glen Sather made a reasonable offer, because this is definitely a loss for them.  They will miss his intensity and chemistry he created with his teammates...  a team I feel will contend for the Stanley Cup for the next 2-3 season. Several key players are very young;   Michael Del Zotto, Chris Kreider, Marc Staal, Ryan Mcdonagh, Carl Hagelin, and Derek Steppan are all under 25.  Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist  is only 30,  and key returnees Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, and Dan Girardi are all either in their prime or just past it.  
  A Rangers-Canadians playoff matchup is very possible in the coming year, since I think the Habs will make it this year.  With Brandon Prust on the other side, it might not be so easy for the Rangers.  Only time will tell...Welcome Brandon Prust!