Boston Bruins trade for forward Rick Nash and sign Brian Gionta To Increase Their Stanley Cup Chances

The Boston Bruins made a pair of moves to solidify their Stanley Cup aspirations.  Boston traded for forward Rick Nash and signed Brian Gionta.

Rick Nash was acquired from the New York Rangers for forwards Ryan Spooner and Matt Beleskey, prospect defenseman Ryan Lindgren, a 1st round draft pick this year, and a 7th round draft pick in 2019.

Gionta reached a 1-year deal worth $700,000.

General Manager of the Boston Bruins Don Sweeney said, “Our players have made a push and I wanted to inch that along if we could, and reward it in a way.”

The Bruins gave up a lot for Nash.  He is a “superstar.”  This season, playing for the Rangers, Nash was unstoppable scoring 18 goals and 10 assists for a total of 28 points.  He can play on the power play and power kill situations.  He sets up in front of the goaltender for tip-ins on the power play.  On the power play kill, his speed makes it difficult for opponents to knock him off the puck, allowing him not only to kill time but have scoring chances.
           
Nash is the complete player.  The Bruins need him to continue putting up points and assists.  On paper the Bruins are a more dangerous threat to win the Cup.
           
Gionta was a surprise.  He hadn’t played a single NHL game since last season with the Buffalo Sabers.  He put up 15 goals and 20 assists for a total of 35 points.  Gionta sat out most of this year to play in the Olympics for team USA.  He is a veteran at 39 years old.  His experience will help this Bruins team make a deep run in the postseason.
           
Both of these moves were high quality for the Bruins.  The only way they work out though, is if they bring a Stanley Cup back to Boston.  They are now a more dangerous team and better able to do so.

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