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Rick Nash does not appear to be returning any time soon from a knee injury. It is in the New York Rangers’ best interest to place him on long-term injured reserve, and it’s not just for the purpose of freeing up cap space.
The moment of truth is coming for the Rangers. Less than a week remains until the NHL Trade Deadline, and it remains to be seen if the Rangers will make another major move to bring in the final piece of a championship puzzle, make minor adjustments to solidify the roster, or stand pat.
The Rangers’ complicated salary cap situation is well documented. After waiving underperforming fourth-liner Daniel Paille this past weekend, the Rangers only have a tad over $1 million remaining to spend. Unless general manager Jeff Gorton pulls a major trade or two out of his magic hat without breaking up the current core or depleting the farm system and minimal stock of high draft picks, he needs to make most prudent move possible.
Star forward Rick Nash has missed a long period of time due to a bone bruise in his knee. Originally, he was day-to-day, and now he is week-to-week, which suggests his injury is much worse than just a bruise. There is still no timetable for his return. Therefore, if the Rangers believe he won’t return until at least April, Gorton should place Nash on long-term injured reserve. The team will receive cap relief for the remainder of the regular season, which will allow Gorton to upgrade the roster, potentially adding a top-six forward or a fourth-liner who specializes in penalty killing, which has recently become the Rangers’ most glaring weakness.
The Chicago Blackhawks did it with Patrick Kane last season. After placing him on LTIR just prior to the trade deadline, they were able to acquire Antoine Vermette for their Cup run. Kane returned at the start of the playoffs, where the cap is virtually null and void, and the Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup. In other words, the Hawks were able to legally add payroll without incurring a salary cap violation.
Gorton just may have to do the same thing. Keith Yandle, the Rangers’ most valuable trade chip, is not going anywhere, and nor should he. In February, he has become more valuable to the Rangers than ever, and to trade him now badly hurts the Rangers’ chances at another deep playoff run. It is worth taking the risk of losing him for nothing in free agency this summer.
As for Nash, he can take the remainder of the regular season to get healthy, and return for the playoffs rejuvenated and ready to contribute. His playoff struggles are well-documented, but the truth is, the Rangers need him. Not only is there a chance they potentially get an invigorated goal scorer, but they also would get back one of their most valuable penalty killers. Sooner or later, Nash has to break through and have a monster postseason, and what better way to do so than by entering the playoffs fully healthy?
Of course, it would be nice if Gorton can use the newfound cap space to acquire an Andrew Ladd or Mikkel Boedker to solidify their top-six, or make major upgrades to their fourth line.
The time has arrived for the Rangers to utilize a legal method for circumventing the salary cap. It could be the only way to upgrade their roster for a Cup run.
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