Rick Nash traded to Rangers
The Columbus Blue Jackets will trade All-Star forward Rick Nash to the New York Rangers. The Columbus Dispatch‘s Aaron Portzline and TSN’s Darren Dreger were the first to report the trade.
Sources tell Dispatch that Rick Nash has been traded to #NYR.
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Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 23, 2012I'm told Rick Nash trade to NYR is done pending trade call. Stepan not included.
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Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 23, 2012Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon and a 1st for Rick Nash.
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Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 23, 2012Nash deal now official. It's Nash, conditional 3rd rder (it goes back to CBJ if NYR make Cup final) and minor leaguer Steve Delisle to NYR.
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Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 23, 2012Nash had reportedly requested a trade last January, and his name has been floated in trade rumors throughout the offseason. Columbus reportedly turned down other offers for the five-time All-Star, but many reporters on Twitter questioned how much the Blue Jackets got in return for Nash in the deal with New York.
Getting rid of Nash’s contract was likely a major motivation for Columbus. Nash is through three years of an eight-year, $62.4 million contract, and the Blue Jackets will now have more flexibility.
Columbus received forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, defenseman Tim Erixon and a first-round pick in return for Nash.
Nash holds the Blue Jackets’ team records in goals, assists and points. He led the league with 41 goals during his second season in the league, 2003-04, and has made the All-Star team five times. He has scored at least 30 goals in the past five seasons.
