NHL Trade Rumors: New York Rangers Should Put All Focus on Adding Dustin Brown

It’s no secret that the New York Rangers have been focusing on Columbus Blue Jackets star Rick Nash at the NHL Trade Deadline.

But, with Nash playing yesterday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, why would the Blue Jackets risk injury to the star if they were actively looking to move him on?

For that reason, and simply the asking price for the goal scorer, New York should focus on adding Los Angeles Kings’ Dustin Brown. According to Greg Wyshynski, the Rangers are in the mix. 

Brown has averaged 27 goals in the past four seasons for the Kings; he has scored at least 53 points in those seasons and has earned the captaincy.

Early on his in career, he struggled with his +/-. Last season, however, he was a +17 and this season he is a +8.

Brown is still 27 years old with plenty of great hockey ahead. New York needs to focus on adding him, because Nash being shopped may not happen at this point or another team will give up more to get him. 

Between the two, Brown seems like a more reasonable player to get at the deadline.

Why not quietly add Brown and bring him back to his home state of New York? The fans would be disappointed to not pick up Nash, but they would love bringing back a New Yorker to help strive towards the Stanley Cup.

The Rangers sit in first place in the Eastern Conference with 84 points. They have a great team with a phenomenal goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist. They are, however, 12^th in goals scored per game at 2.7. New York has a decent offense, but it can be improved.

Adding Brown would be the next best thing to Nash on the market. He’s not the explosive goal scorer the Rangers were looking for, but he can score 20-25 goals per season.

Brown would be a solid addition for the Rangers at the trade deadline.