How will the Rick Nash injury affect trade deadline plans for the Rangers?

If Nash is out, what will happen? (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

I have a fear.

I fear that Rick Nash will be out long-term.

This fear isn’t without merit, as there is no timetable for his return and he was recently downgraded to week-to-week. The Rangers have done well without him in the short-term, as J.T. Miller has really picked up the slack. Miller, along with Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard, have helped tremendously, picking up Nash’s goal scoring.

However Miller won’t continue shooting 30%. When that regression comes, the goals may dry up. The Rangers already had a need for a top-six forward with Nash in the lineup. If he’s out long-term, then there is a need for a second top-six winger. That is my fear. That second top-six winger.

Very few players can replace Nash. His presence requires attention from the opposition, and takes the stress off the secondary scorers. To acquire something additional to replace that, the Rangers would need to give up a lot.

If the front office believes they can beat the Caps in a seven game series –I’m skeptical, as you should be– then they might make another all-in move. With a healthy Nash, someone like Kris Versteeg is obtainable and provides depth. Without Nash, Versteeg is a band-aid. They’d need a game changer. Game changers are expensive. Pavel Buchnevich expensive.

That is my fear. That the Rangers consider themselves true Cup contenders, and sacrifice the prospect that allowed them to sacrifice Anthony Duclair. Patrick Marleau, Eric Staal, and others like them will cost these types of prospects.

That is my fear. A healthy Nash makes that fear disappear. Visit Dan Girardi’s cyborg doctor, please. Just don’t be out long-term. We don’t need this stress.