New Jersey Devils Free Agency Profile: Rick Nash
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils are officially in offseason mode. Over the next few days, we will look at 20 potential free agents they could look at signing. Today, we look at the Boston Bruins Rick Nash.
Rick Nash was an enemy of the New Jersey Devils for the past six seasons after he was on the wrong side of the Hudson River. He has been a superstar for most of his career, but his time atop the league has come and gone. That’s what makes him such an interesting free agent this season.
Nash is a big-bodied forward with a lethal shot. Even though his age is advancing, and he has over 1,000 NHL on his legs, he’s still able to score north of 20 goals every season. He’s only three seasons away from his last 40-goal season.
The problem is Nash does look old, even though he’s only 33 years old. When comparing him to his best days, he’s just a different player.
Still, he deserves a spot on a team’s first or second line. His skill set would be great on any team in the NHL.
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So, how would he fit on the Devils? Tyler Kelley wrote last week about how he believes Nash would fit, and he’s actually quite fond of him. Adding him to the first line and moving Kyle Palmieri down might actually make the Devils top six one of the hardest to match up against. If Nico Hischier can take another step offensively, then you have three players with the ability to score 30 goals, and possibly the reigning MVP in Taylor Hall.
Kelley says he expects Nash to make $3.8 million per season on a two-year deal. If that’s the price, then the Devils will definitely be interested. Sure, Nash at his age is missing the fast part of the fast, attacking offense the Devils are searching for, but getting a player with the upside of Rick Nash for less than $4 million is something this team needs.
I think Nash and the Devils could be a great match. There’s no doubt he still has his family in the New York area, since he was traded to Boston midseason. That might work in Ray Shero’s advantage. Nash may have been an enemy for years, but he would be a great ally in the Devils fight for contention.