| Rick Nash | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Nash with theColumbus Blue Jackets in October 2011 | |||
| Born | (1984-06-16)June 16, 1984 (age 41) Brampton, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||
| Weight | 219 lb (99 kg; 15 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Columbus Blue Jackets HC Davos New York Rangers Boston Bruins | ||
| National team |  Canada | ||
| NHL draft | 1st overall,2002 Columbus Blue Jackets | ||
| Playing career | 2002–2018 | ||
Richard Nash (born June 16, 1984) is a Canadian former professionalice hockey player who serves as the director of player development for theColumbus Blue Jackets of theNational Hockey League (NHL). After being selectedfirst overall in the2002 NHL Entry Draft by Columbus, he played 15 seasons in the NHL for the Blue Jackets,New York Rangers andBoston Bruins, and was selected to play in sixNational Hockey League All-Star Games.
Prior to turning professional, Nash was a highly regarded prospect with theLondon Knights of theOntario Hockey League (OHL) where he spent two seasons, earning theEmms Family Award in2001 as the League's Rookie of the Year. He began his NHL career with the Blue Jackets immediately following his draft, in2002–03, and was nominated for theCalder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year. In his second NHL season, Nash scored 41 goals to tie withJarome Iginla andIlya Kovalchuk as winners of theMaurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal-scorer. Nash is a six-timeNHL All-Star and was also awarded theNHL Foundation Player Award in the2008–09 season for his charitable work in the Columbus community. He is the Blue Jackets franchise career leader in goals, points, and games played. Widely considered the greatest Blue Jackets player of all time, Nash's number 61 was retired by the franchise in 2022.[1]
Internationally, Nash has representedTeam Canada, with whom he has won one gold and two silver medals at theWorld Championships, and two gold medals at the Winter Olympics in2010 and2014. Additionally, he has represented Canada at the2002 World Junior Championships, helping the team to a silver medal, and also competed for Canada in the2006 Winter Olympics inTurin.
Nash was raised inBrampton,Ontario, where he attendedBrampton Centennial Secondary School.[2] He played minor hockey in theGreater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), where he caught the attention of OHL scouts in 1999.[citation needed] He played in the 1998Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Marlborosminor ice hockey team.[3]
As a member of theLondon Knights for two seasons in the OHL, Rick Nash began hismajor junior career with 66 points in his first year, receiving theEmms Family Award as the League's top rookie. The following season, he amassed 72 points in 54 games and was subsequently selected first overall in the2002 NHL Entry Draft by theColumbus Blue Jackets.[citation needed]
The first NHL contract for Nash was negotiated minutes before the signing deadline byGord Kirke. It was the most lucrative contract for an NHL rookie at the time, valued at 1.2 millionUSD per season plus bonuses and incentives which ranged from 8 to US$12 million.[4]
Joining the Blue Jackets in2002–03, Nash debuted on October 10, 2002, and scored a goal in a 2–1 win over theChicago Blackhawks. He was the eighthnumber one overall pick to score a goal in his first game and the first to do so in his draft year sinceMario Lemieux in1984.[5] That season, Nash was nominated for theCalder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie, but lost to defensemanBarret Jackman of theSt. Louis Blues. He would, however, join Jackman on theNHL All-Rookie Team.[6]
In Nash's sophomore campaign, he improved his rookie goal total from 17 to 41, a career-high that tiedJarome Iginla andIlya Kovalchuk for theMaurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for most goals in the League. At 19 years of age, Nash was the youngest player in history to lead the League in goals.[5] Recording 16 assists, Nash finished the year with 57 points.[citation needed]
During the2004–05 NHL lockout, Nash played forHC Davos of theSwissNationalliga A (NLA). He scored 26 goals and 46 points in 44 games and added 11 more points (nine goals and two assists) in 15 games in the NLA playoffs. Joined by fellow NHL-erJoe Thornton, Davos went on to win the Swiss Championship, as well as the 2004Spengler Cup.[7]
With the NHL set to resume play in2005–06, the Blue Jackets re-signed Nash to a five-year, $27 million contract. The deal saw his annual salary increase each year, with $3.5 million the first season and $7 million in the last season of the contract for a $5.4 million average salary.[8] Knee and ankle injuries, however, sidelined Nash for much of the first half of the season. Missing 28 games total, Nash was still named toTeam Canada for the2006 Olympics, shortly after being activated from theinjured reserve. Upon returning from a disappointing seventh-place finish inTurin, Nash completed the season at a point-per-game pace with 54 points in 54 games.[9]
In2006–07, Nash matched his sophomore points total with 57, and was named to theWestern ConferenceAll-Star Team for the second time in his career. He was Columbus' lone representative both times. Nash scored the game-winning goal in the West win.[10]
The following season, on January 17, 2008, Nash scored what many commentators called the "goal of the year"[11] in the final minute versus thePhoenix Coyotes. Breaking a tied score, Nash deked around two defenders and the goaltender to score the eventual game-winner. Later, at the end of the season, the goal was nominated for anESPY Award in the category ofBest Play.[12] Selected to his thirdAll-Star Game in 2008 that season, Nash scored the quickest goal in All-Star Game history, just 12 seconds in and ended the game with ahat-trick.[13]
Completing the season with 38 goals and 69 points, Nash nearly matched his personal best goals total and set a career high for points and assists. Shortly before the end of the season, on March 12, 2008, Nash was also named the fifth captain in Blue Jackets history, replacing the recently tradedAdam Foote.[14]
In the off-season, in May 2008, Nash was named the cover athlete and spokesman for theNHL 2K9 video game.[15] Going into the2008–09 campaign, the Blue Jackets had gone without a playoff appearance in franchise history. Led by the newly appointed captain Nash and bolstered by rookie goaltenderSteve Mason, the Blue Jackets finished the season as the seventh seed in the Western Conference to earn a post-season berth against division-rival theDetroit Red Wings. The series was preceded by an 8–2 rout over the Red Wings on March 7, 2009, a game in which Nash scored three unassisted goals.[16] According to theColumbus Dispatch, citing theElias Sports Bureau, the last player to score three goals unassisted wasMaurice Richard (who scored four) against theNew York Rangers atMadison Square Garden on March 14, 1948. Despite the convincing victory late in the season, the Blue Jackets were swept by the Red Wings in four games.[17]
In addition to leading the Blue Jackets to the playoffs, Nash had a career season with 79 points, in addition to scoring 40 goals for the first time since2003–04. In the off-season, on July 3, 2009, Nash signed an eight-year contract extension with the Blue Jackets worth $62.4 million set to take effect in2010–11.[18]
As the2011–12 season began to unfold, Columbus recorded a dismal 2–12–1 record, the worst start to an NHL season by any team in 19 years.[19] With the team struggling, rumors began circulating that the Blue Jackets were contemplating trading Nash as a solution to their on-ice woes. While Blue Jackets General ManagerScott Howson stated publicly that he had had no discussions regarding a Nash deal, other teams had indeed inquired about his availability.[20] When asked about it, Nash stated that if the franchise felt it could improve itself by dealing him, he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to get the deal done.[21] Though Howson had previously maintained that he had no intention of trading Nash, two weeks before the trade deadline, he stated in the press that the team was open to all options and they were willing to listen to trade proposals for Nash, despite not actively shopping him. Speculation was that in return for Nash the Blue Jackets would ask for a top six forward, a top prospect and a first-round draft pick.[22][23]
Trade speculation continued on into the summer with no deal imminent. While Howson claimed he merely wanted to receive "market value" in any deal for Nash, there was speculation that his asking price was too high for many rival NHL GMs to consider.[24] Columbus eventually found a trade partner in the New York Rangers. Nash, along withSteven Delisle and a conditional third-round pick in the2013 NHL Entry Draft, were traded to the Rangers forArtem Anisimov,Brandon Dubinsky,Tim Erixon and a 2013 first-round draft pick.[25]
Nash signed a contract to play withHC Davos again during the2012–13 NHL lockout.[26] In late September 2012, while playing for Davos, Nash injured his shoulder and left the game.
Nash had a successful first regular season with the Rangers, scoring 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points in 44 games played in the lockout-shortened2012–13 season. However, in theplayoffs, Nash underwhelmed with only one goal and four assists in 12 playoff games.[27]
Nash opened the2013–14 season well, with three assists in two games. But on October 8, 2013, in a game against theSan Jose Sharks, Nash suffered a concussion from a hit byBrad Stuart, which forced him to miss 17 games.[28] On November 21, Nash scored his first goal of the season in a 3–2 win against theDallas Stars.[29] He would finish the season with a solid goal total of 26 in 65 games, but with only 13 assists, his 39 points tied a career low. Nash struggled mightily in the playoffs for the second straight year, scoring only three goals in 25 playoff games. Despite his low offensive production, however, he was solid defensively throughout, and the Rangers reached theStanley Cup Finals, ultimately losing in five games to theLos Angeles Kings in a series in which all the games were close decisions.[30]
Nash had a superstar season in 2014–15 scoring a career-high 42 goals (third in the NHL behindSteven Stamkos with 43 andAlexander Ovechkin with 53) and 27 assists. Nash's production also improved during the 2015 playoffs, as he scored five goals and nine assists (14 points) in 19 games as the Rangers fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a hard-fought seven-game Eastern Conference Finals series.[31]
Nash's performance declined at the start of the 2015–16 season as he struggled to recapture his scoring pace from the previous season. This was further exacerbated by muscle spasms that caused Nash to miss 22 games. Despite being involved in trade rumors, few teams seemed to be interested in Rick Nash and his $7.9 million cap hit. Nash scored a career-low 15 goals, going with 21 assists for a career-low 36 points. He then recorded two goals and two assists in New York's five-game opening round loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.[32]
On October 11, 2016, Nash was named an alternate captain for the New York Rangers, joiningDaniel Girardi,Marc Staal, andDerek Stepan along with captainRyan McDonagh.[33] On November 8, 2016, Nash scored his 400th goal in a 5–3 loss against theVancouver Canucks.[34] Nash again missed several games during the 2016–17 season, this time with a nagging groin injury. He still managed to score 23 goals and 15 assists for 38 points, in 67 games. Nash's production continued to improve during the2017 Stanley Cup playoffs. He recorded two goals and one assist in the Rangers six-game opening-round victory over theMontreal Canadiens.[35]
On October 26, 2017, Nash skated in his 1,000th NHL career game, which resulted in a 5–2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. He became the 312th player in NHL history to play at least 1,000 career games.[36][37]
During the2017–18 season, the Rangers struggled relative to their results from past seasons. On February 8, 2018, the team released a letter to fans that signaled intentions to begin a rebuild, to which rumors of a Nash trade began to swirl, as he was in the last year of his contract.[38] On February 25, 2018, one day before the trade deadline, Nash was traded to theBoston Bruins in exchange forRyan Spooner,Matt Beleskey, prospectRyan Lindgren, a2018 first-round pick (which becameJacob Bernard-Docker), and a2019 seventh-round pick (which becameMassimo Rizzo).[39] Rick Nash's first goal as a Bruin, and his 800th career point, came on February 27, 2018, in a 4–3 overtime Bruins home ice win over theCarolina Hurricanes.[40] Nash would go on to play 23 games for the Bruins, and suffered a concussion in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, after a hit fromCedric Paquette.[41]
On January 11, 2019, at age 34, due to unresolved symptoms from a concussion sustained in March 2018, Nash was forced to retire from professional hockey after playing 1,060 career games spanning over 15 seasons.[42]
 Rick Nash with a gold medal during the2010 Winter Olympics. | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Canada | ||
| Men'sice hockey | ||
| Olympic Winter Games | ||
 | 2010 Vancouver | |
| 2014 Sochi | |
| World Championships | ||
| 2007 Russia | |
 | 2005 Austria | |
| 2008 Canada | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
| 2002 Czech Republic | |
In Nash's second junior season, he was chosen to play forTeam Canada's junior squad in the2002 World Junior Championships, scoring three points in a silver medal effort.[43]
Nash would make his senior international debut forTeam Canada at the2005 World Championship, leading the tournament in goals while earning his second silver medal.
In 2006, shortly after returning from an injury, he was selected to play on Team Canada'sOlympic team, but managed just one point in a disappointing seventh-place finish.
The following year, Nash captured his first gold medal with Team Canada at the2007 World Championship in a 4–2 victory overFinland inMoscow. Scoring two goals in the gold medal game against Finland and 11 points total, Nash was named to the tournament All-Star Team and earnedMVP honours.
Nash appeared in his third World Championship in 2008, but failed to repeat as gold medal champion with Canada, earning silver. In thechampionship game againstRussia, Nash attempted to clear thepuck inovertime, but accidentally shot it over the glass, resulting a delay of game penalty. On thepowerplay, Russia capitalized, defeating Canada 5–4. Despite his misplay, Nash was named to the tournament All-Star Team for the second consecutive year, finishing with 13 points.
On December 30, 2009, Nash was selected to play for Team Canada at the2010 Winter Olympics inVancouver.[44] After starting the tournament onSidney Crosby's wing, he was switched to a line withMike Richards andJonathan Toews, who was named Best Forward. Nash earned his first Olympic medal in the tournament as Team Canada went on to win gold.
Nash was named captain of Team Canada for the2011 IIHF World Championship. Canada finished fifth in the tournament.
Rick Nash won his second gold medal with Team Canada at the2014 Winter Olympics.
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1999–00 | Toronto Marlboros AAA | GTHL | 34 | 61 | 54 | 115 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Milton Merchants | OPJHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | London Knights | OHL | 58 | 31 | 35 | 66 | 56 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 2001–02 | London Knights | OHL | 54 | 32 | 40 | 72 | 88 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 21 | ||
| 2002–03 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 74 | 17 | 22 | 39 | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 80 | 41 | 16 | 57 | 87 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | HC Davos | NLA | 44 | 27 | 20 | 47 | 83 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 26 | ||
| 2005–06 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 54 | 31 | 23 | 54 | 51 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 75 | 27 | 30 | 57 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 80 | 38 | 31 | 69 | 95 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 78 | 40 | 39 | 79 | 52 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 76 | 33 | 34 | 67 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 75 | 32 | 34 | 66 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 82 | 30 | 29 | 59 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | HC Davos | NLA | 17 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | New York Rangers | NHL | 44 | 21 | 21 | 42 | 26 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | New York Rangers | NHL | 65 | 26 | 13 | 39 | 36 | 25 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 8 | ||
| 2014–15 | New York Rangers | NHL | 79 | 42 | 27 | 69 | 36 | 19 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 4 | ||
| 2015–16 | New York Rangers | NHL | 60 | 15 | 21 | 36 | 30 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2016–17 | New York Rangers | NHL | 67 | 23 | 15 | 38 | 26 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2017–18 | New York Rangers | NHL | 60 | 18 | 10 | 28 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 11 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | ||
| NHL totals | 1,060 | 437 | 368 | 805 | 750 | 89 | 18 | 28 | 46 | 32 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Canada Ontario | U17 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 8 | |
| 2002 | Canada | WJC | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2005 | Canada | WC | 9 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 8 | |
| 2006 | Canada | OLY | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |
| 2007 | Canada | WC | 9 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 4 | |
| 2008 | Canada | WC | 9 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 6 | |
| 2010 | Canada | OLY | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2011 | Canada | WC | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2014 | Canada | OLY | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Junior totals | 13 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 10 | |||
| Senior totals | 53 | 25 | 26 | 51 | 32 | |||
International
Other
Like Wingels, Rick Nash did his part in his first game at TD Garden. After a strong debut in Buffalo - during which Nash fired five shots on goal and clanked another opportunity off the post - the former first overall pick finally cashed in midway through the first...DeBrusk forced Justin Faulk to lose control of the puck along the boards, freeing it up for David Krejci at the blue liner. Krejci then threaded a pass toa wide-open Nash, who fired one by Darling to knot the game at 1 and collect his 800th career point.
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | NHL first overall draft pick 2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick 2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theMaurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy 2004 With:Jarome Iginla andIlya Kovalchuk | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Columbus Blue Jackets captain 2008–2012 | Succeeded by |