Bruins were atop Nash's trade list
In the end, Rick Nash got what he wanted.
Traded to the Boston Bruins on Sunday after spending the past six seasons with the New York Rangers, the deal came to fruition less than three weeks after the club first approached Nash for his trade list.
Carrying a modified no-trade clause, Nash had some say in his destination and could dictate a move to 12 teams of his choosing.
As it turns out, that list did not need to be longer than one team.
Nash said Boston was at the top of his list but it was most important he went somewhere that wanted him.
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) February 25, 2018
"When (the Rangers) first asked me, I was obviously going to go wherever. I wasn't going to hold them hostage," Nash told reporters Sunday. "I wanted to go to a place that wanted me and a place that had a great chance to win. I think Boston fits both of those perfectly."
It was a quick turnaround for Nash, who made his debut with the Bruins on the same day of the deal, as he appeared in Sunday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres.
Against the Sabres, Nash skated for more than 17 minutes but finished with a minus-one rating and five shots on goal.