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NHL Trade Rumors: 5 teams that should trade for Rick Nash

By Dave Stevenson

Feb 20, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) waits for a face-off during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Rangers beat the Sabres 3 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) waits for a face-off during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Rangers beat the Sabres 3 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images /

4. Florida Panthers

Much like the Predators, the Florida Panthers are a team that needs to upgrade their offense this off-season. The Panthers have a ton of role players, and center Aleksander Barkov is blossoming into a star. However, the Panthers didn’t have a go-to goal-scorer this season, and it showed in the postseason. All their role players are terrific, but at the end of the day, you need a go-to guy to go anywhere in the playoffs. Rick Nash could be that guy for the Panthers.

Of course, there’s the risk that Rick Nash could continue to be unproductive in the playoffs. However, looking at his numbers, his shot rate in the playoffs isn’t that different from his shot rate in the regular season. His lack of production in the playoffs could be due to really horrible luck, or there could be more to the story.

If Nash could be had for relatively cheap, the Panthers should definitely be calling the Rangers about him. The Panthers don’t have the defensemen that the Rangers would want, especially since there’s no chance the Panthers are going to consider trading Aaron Ekblad for longer than two seconds. Dale Tallon is one sneaky son of a gun, so he might still find a way to get Rick Nash to come to the Panthers.

Next: 3. Minnesota Wild

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