Rick Nash

Anyone else notice how much more of a force he has been so far this season?

We obviously saw the talent he had last year---good hands, good feel for the game, and some wicked moves. But after tonight's game, it struck me that he's not so much a future star learning the NHL ropes, but a dominant player who can take over a game.

I guess I didn't expect this kind of 'power forward' performance from him this early in his career.

I dont know that tonights tussle counts, but I still say that his first fight will be a huge turning point for him. He doesnt need to fight all the time like Shannahan did in his early years. But a few properly timed fights would go a long way toward him becoming closer to a Bertuzzi than a Naslund. Though I would be happy with either!

I think that he was just told not to fight back early on and he just seems to absorb all the rough stuff. The only knock on him is that he needs to start initiating more. I saw much more of that tonight than I ever have.

Basically, I think developing a nasty streak to go along with that skill set would make him deadly. I hope we get to see that.

I dont know that tonights tussle counts, but I still say that his first fight will be a huge turning point for him. He doesnt need to fight all the time like Shannahan did in his early years. But a few properly timed fights would go a long way toward him becoming closer to a Bertuzzi than a Naslund. Though I would be happy with either!

I think that he was just told not to fight back early on and he just seems to absorb all the rough stuff. The only knock on him is that he needs to start initiating more. I saw much more of that tonight than I ever have.

Basically, I think developing a nasty streak to go along with that skill set would make him deadly. I hope we get to see that.I guess that's what I was trying to get at, in a nutshell. It seemed like Nash was setting up in front of Cloutier all night, buzzing him and creating things. Being more physical.

I left the game thinking that I hadn't seen him play that "big" before, and it just happened to be on a night when one of the premier power forwards in the league was in the building.

Seemed like we had our own 'mini-Bertuzzi'. :D

Nash has a mean streak. Check his record in juniors - this is no altar boy we're talking about here.

Nash can't get in one if he wants too. Richardson is always jumping people who give him grief and last night Marchant was in there when he and Cooke went at it. Did anyone else see Cooke dangling his glove just before Marchant almost got the third man in call?

Nash off the ice for 5 minutes isn't something I think he needs to become a better player. He can get the job done and he is standing up for himself well. His teammates are doing a lot of that too. When Nash and Cooke were off the ice I said " I would trade Cooke for Nash any day of the week" - that was before I saw it was a double minor, of course!

If another forward is really taking liberties, then ok. But unless it is drastic - and uncalled - then Nash should stay on his skates with his gloves on and his stick on the ice.

Im not looking for 200 PIMs a season, just a little more aggressiveness and the "take it to them before they take it to you" mentality that comes with it. I think a well placed fight or two a year would do that. I think he showed big steps in that direction last night.

I really believe Nash will be a tremendous all around player. Both feared physically and for his talent. That boy can lay some hard checks down, and to be aggressive, of course not too many PIM's like jackets63 mentioned is key. He will be a force.

The One Bad thing about Nash that Ive noticed is that he seems to be diving a lot. Other then that, no complaints.

The One Bad thing about Nash that Ive noticed is that he seems to be diving a lot. Other then that, no complaints.
From what I've read on other boards, he already has a reputation for diving. I would like to see him get away from that, too.

From what I've read on other boards, he already has a reputation for diving. I would like to see him get away from that, too.

Maybe his legs just need to be a little stronger, he is young, tall, and still growing into his frame.

Maybe his legs just need to be a little stronger, he is young, tall, and still growing into his frame.

I think that this is the case. I have been in the building for all but one of his called dives, I believe, and I didnt think any of them was a real dive. Just him being so awkward last year and getting knocked over easily while growing into his frame. I mean, he was what? 6'4, 180lbs? Of course he was going to fall a little easier than many others.

From what I've read on other boards, he already has a reputation for diving. I would like to see him get away from that, too.

I think making the divers list would give one a reputation more than what people on other boards say. The officials have decided that and the league's fans are just talking about what the zebras have decreed.