UPDATE (9:53 a.m.): The Bruins officially have acquired Rick Nash. Here are the details:
UPDATE (9:15 a.m.): The Bruins and Rangers have a “deal in place” to send Rick Nash to Boston, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. The deal is not official, but here are the details:
ORIGINAL STORY: The Boston Bruins reportedly are close to making a major addition to their roster.
Late in the Bruins’ controversial 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Boston was having “ongoing discussions” with the New York Rangers about trading for star winger Rick Nash. The biggest roadblock appears to be the Bruins’ ability to clear enough salary cap space to fit Nash’s $7,800,000 cap hit.
The rumors only got hotter as the night wore on, though.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported the Bruins are the “leading candidate” for Nash, and that Boston and New York have the “framework in place” for the blockbuster.
It’s unclear what the Bruins would need to part with to acquire the 33-year-old forward, but multiple reports indicate a first-round pick and a solid prospect are being discussed.
Furthermore, here are the salary challenges that the Bruins and the Rangers must overcome, per Sportsnet’s John Shannon:
So, why would the Bruins want to add Nash?
Although the former No. 2 overall pick certainly has regressed from being the 40-goal scorer he was earlier in his career, Nash still has an elite shot, and remains a capable goal scorer when put in the right position. Perhaps more important, however, is the Bruins’ clear need for a consistent, veteran winger to play alongside center David Krejci on the second line.
Now, would Nash alone remedy that problem? It’s tough to know for sure, but 18 goals, 10 assists and a breadth of playoff experience are nothing to snuff at.
