Rick Nash Trade: Grades, Twitter Reaction and More for Rangers-Blue Jackets Deal

After months of speculation about his future, Rick Nash is taking his skates and stick to Madison Square Garden to play for the New York Rangers. 

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Rangers will send a first-round draft pick and three players back to Columbus in exchange for Nash:

"

Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon and a 1st for Rick Nash.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 23, 2012"

Grade for New York Rangers

The Rangers are in a win-now mode. They had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season before losing to New Jersey in the conference finals. 

New York's biggest weakness last year was consistency on offense. The Rangers finished a respectable 11th in goals scored, but putting the puck in the net was ultimately their undoing in the postseason. 

Nash's offensive output has decreased in each of the last three seasons, from a career-best 79 points in 2008-09 to 59 last year. A lot of that can be attributed to the lack of talent around him than any serious decline in skills. 

They did give up quality young talent in return, but this was a move they had to make in order to take the next step. 

Final Grade: B+

Grade for Columbus Blue Jackets

Trading away the face of the franchise is going to alienate a lot of fans, but the Blue Jackets couldn't afford to keep trotting Nash out there with no one to support him. 

Getting younger and saving money on Nash's contract had to be priorities for the Blue Jackets. With this trade, they ended up acquiring talent just entering their prime, which the 24-year-old Artem Anisimov and 26-year-old Brandon Dubinsky certainly are. 

It is going to be a long, slow rebuild for the Blue Jackets, but this was absolutely the right move for them to make. 

Final Grade: B

Twitter Reaction

Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch put Nash's legacy in Columbus in perspective, lest anyone worry that the franchise is losing a shining beacon of titles and MVP awards:

"

Rick Nash's legacy with the #CBJ: He played in five All-Star Games and four playoff games.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 23, 2012"

CBS NFL analyst Boomer Esiason tweeted about additional financial benefits for the Rangers in doing this deal:

"

Once official, the #NYR trade for Rick Nash will be a very good one.. Should be $10 million left under the cap. #helloDoan.

— Boomer Esiason (@7BOOMERESIASON) July 23, 2012"

The cap number is huge because it allows the Rangers to make more potential moves or a midseason acquisition if they need help. 

Rob Mixer, who works as the digital content and community manager for the Blue Jackets, put a positive spin on the deal for Columbus:

"

#CBJ own three first-round picks in the 2013 draft: their own, the LA Kings', and now the #NYR. Well-positioned for this year and beyond.

— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) July 23, 2012"

Nash had worn out his welcome with the Blue Jackets, so both sides win with this exchange. It is rare when both parties come out looking good in a deal, but I like what the Rangers and Blue Jackets did. 

If the Rangers can win the Stanley Cup next season with Nash as an integral part, this will all be worth it. 

The Blue Jackets needed to do something drastic, and this deal was just that.

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