The Rebirth of Rick Nash

The Rebirth of Rick Nash 

What a difference a year makes! Absent in most of the playoffs, Rick Nash struggled to do anything productive whether it be at even strength or on the power play. During the Stanley cup final, Nash was benched on the power play but he did not let this get him down. Instead this motivated him. 

Coming into the preseason it had been reported that Nash had been working very hard to improve his game. Nash had added muscle in order to be stronger after getting bullied in the playoffs, and he lost weight in order to move faster. It seems as if Nash has reacquired the scoring touch the Rangers were looking for, as he left Columbus in a blockbuster trade in 2012. 

In his last season in Columbus, Nash tallied 30 goals and 29 assists. This was a mediocre season for Nash, but those stats are amazing for the average NHL player. In his first season on 7th Avenue, Nash scored 21 goals and 21 points in a lockout shortened season. Though these numbers were impressive, the Rangers wanted the player who once scored 41 goals and was one of the top players in the NHL. Nash's playoff stats were troubling, as he only tallied 3 goals. This made Nash a part of trade speculation and possible demotion. 

Obviously, Nash used this negativity as fuel because he has come out on fire in the early portion of the 2014 season. Nash has scored 18 goals and dished out 10 assists, which puts him near the top of the team. Nash has started to look like his usual dominant self, but the Rangers have subsequently struggled as a team. Nash is doing his part but the team is not carrying its weight. 

Rick Nash is having a coming out party and Ranger fans are ecstatic about it. They do wish that the team would perform better, but that will come as the season progresses. Nash is a key cornerstone who will help the development of young players such as Chris Kreider and JT Miller. Nash will be considered for the Hart Trophy, but Nash really wants the elusive Stanley Cup Championship.