Fansided

5 best fits for Rick Nash in NHL free agency

By Nick McAdam

BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Rick Nash #61 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 2, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rick Nash
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Rick Nash #61 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 2, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rick Nash /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 21: Boston Bruins right wing Rick Nash (61) watched by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev (22) during Game 5 of the First Round for the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 21, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-3. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 21: Boston Bruins right wing Rick Nash (61) watched by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev (22) during Game 5 of the First Round for the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 21, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-3. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs are almost there. A few more players defensively and in depth areas and they really could see bright things in the very near future.

Another disappointing Game 7 against the Boston Bruins with a different core isn’t exactly the most uplifting for the franchise. A quick glimpse at the series would suggest that turnovers were a big issue which ultimately led to a good portion of the goals.

Another note from a certain perspective is that Nash looked really strong possession wise against Toronto throughout the entirety of the series. Several scoring chances and drives straight to the net might have surprised a young squad in the Leafs as Nash seriously flew past them at points.

Rick has a lot of the qualities that would fit right into the current Leafs’ team. More veteran presence needs to be shown in Toronto with an obvious solid core group of players already in place.

Kyle Dubas arguably has one of the toughest jobs in hockey right now. Finding young players has been a specialty for the Leafs over the years, but now Dubas has to find the right guys with experience and skill.

Patrick Marleau was a great addition to the team and everybody can see what impact he had when playing with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. Nash and other veteran players simply finish the magic that the young players create.

No doubt that Nash can finish a scoring chance, and there’s no doubt that Dubas will at least glimpse at the opportunity of signing the forward this summer.

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