If you are the Columbus Blue Jackets, today's news should be something of a relief, as Rick Nash is finally an ex-Blue Jacket. Pending finalization, the Rangers will get Nash, Steven Delisle, and a conditional 3rd round pick in 2013 and the Blue Jackets will get Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Jan Erixon, and a first round pick in 2013. What does it all mean? For the Blue Jackets, it is a small victory in that they managed to get the best possible value they could get. The Rangers were not about to give up Michael Del Zotto, Derek Stepan, or Chris Kreider, and given that both Anisimov and Dubinsky have NHL experience, the Blue Jackets get the forwards they want. Erixon is likely to make his debut next season, but given that he had been with the Flames and Rangers before even suiting up for a game (he did play 18 games for the Rangers last season), it is possible that Erixon could be this decade's Keith Ballard in that he's never had a chance to settle into one city this early in his career. A possible late first rounder in 2013 (given the Rangers' ability to make a deep playoff run) gives the Blue Jackets a chance to reverse their Draft woes of most of their existence.
As for the Rangers, Nash gives the Rangers a former Rocket Richard Trophy winner in 2004 and now, he won't have to carry the load on Broadway like he had to in Columbus. In short, 40 goals is not out of the question next season, and it's possible that Nash could either have Marian Gaborik or Chris Kreider as his linemate next season, and I haven't even gotten to Brad Richards. Delisle is a former fourth round pick from 2008 who has considerable height, and since the Rangers have depth and talent on the blue line, he won't be rushed to the NHL. There's also the conditional 3rd round pick in 2013, which the Rangers can use as they see fit.
Short term, the Rangers win this trade and Columbus is one headache less heading into September.
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