For the past 10 years, New York Rangers newly acquired forward Rick Nash has been playing for a small-market, NHL franchise in Columbus, OH. On Monday, all of that changed when he was dealt to the Big Apple in a five-player trade that placed the five-time All-Star in the big Madison Square Garden spotlight.
The new attention and high expectation, though, are a welcome to Nash who told the NY media Monday night in a conference call he's excited about his new role and location.
"I am looking forward to this opportunity and being a part of something, I think, is something pretty special that's already going on with the Rangers," said Nash.
"I just thought the Rangers were perfect. They've got an amazing team already. I think it was a great fit for my style".
Nash said he believes he should fit right in with captain Ryan Callahan and Brad Richards, a player who he was teammates with on the Canadian National Team.
"This type of player doesn't become available very often," said Rangers general manager Glen Sather in the same conference call. "This is a very important deal for our hockey club."
In the end, the Rangers gave away three solid pieces to acquire Nash, but Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto believes the addition of Nash was a good one.
"Having a guy who can make plays like (Rick Nash) only makes us a more lethal team," said Del Zotto. "We are going to welcome Rick Nash into our family and hope this trade continues to take us in the right direction," (via NYR Twitter).
For the latest on the Rick Nash trade, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. To discuss the trade, visit the SB Nation blog Blueshirt Banter.