Rangers ask Rick Nash for trade list

Anthony Scultore Feb 5, 2018

It’s official, the fire sale is on. Breaking today, and as I wrote on Saturday, the Rangers have asked Rick Nash for his no trade list.

Tweets from McKenzie

NYR have requested Rick Nash’s No-Trade list and Nash gave it to the club yesterday. The list is 18 teams Nash cannot be traded to (unless he were to waive his NTC). Conversely, NYR now have the green light to trade Nash to the 12 teams not on the list.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 5, 2018

I would imagine the 12 teams Nash is willing to go to are teams he believes would give him the best shot to compete for the Cup and would either have the need for a scoring (rental) winger and/or be willing to pay the price.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 5, 2018

Of course, the alternate strategy for turning a modified NTC into a virtual full NTC is to allow trades only to teams you know wouldn’t want you — non playoff teams, those not needing scoring help — or teams NYR not likely to deal with etc. That gives player more control.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 5, 2018

12 Team List

McKenzie correctly deduces that these 12 teams will likely all be contenders and in the playoffs as of right now. The thing to remember is back in 2016, Larry Brooks reported there were no Canadian teams on that list. So has he changed his mind? Of the 2 Canadian teams in right now, Toronto and Winnipeg, I can only see him heading to the Leafs.

Regardless, the sell off is about to begin.