Bruins GM Don Sweeney goes all in by trading for Rick Nash

TORONTO -- The Boston Bruins have acquired veteran forward Rick Nash in exchange for a 2018 first-round pick, Matt Beleskey, Ryan Lindgren, Ryan Spooner and a seventh-round pick in 2019. The Bruins will retain 50 percent of Beleskey's contract. He's making $3.8 million total for the next two seasons.

Nash is expected to join the Bruins today in Buffalo and will be available for tonight's game against the Sabres.

Nash, 33, the former No. 1 overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, is in his 15th NHL season. At the time of the trade to Boston, he had 18 goals and 10 assists for 28 points in 60 games for the Rangers. The 6-foot-4, 211-pounder has suited up the last six season for the Rangers. Overall, he's played in 1,049 career NHL games and has 434 goals and 365 assists for 799 points. He's played in 77 Stanley Cup playoff games with 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points.

BSJ analysis 

This move tells me that the Bruins believe they can win it this season. I'm withholding judgment on this deal until I see how Nash performs with the Bruins. Every player for Boston is committed and engaged this season, which is one reason why the Bruins are a lock for a playoff spot. It's well documented that Nash has a tendency to put his game on cruise control. No doubt he's an incredible talent, but that mentality will not fit well in the Bruins' room.

"He's motivated," said one NHL scout of the Nash deal to Boston.

Being surrounded by Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and David Backes should help Nash's transition, but we'll have to wait and see the end result.

As far as on the ice, Nash will likely play with Krejci. Nash will complement that line well and he's a big body that Krejci is used to playing with similar to the days of Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton. Or, it could be an opportunity for Bruce Cassidy to reunite Krejci and David Pastrnak and put Nash with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.

I do give Don Sweeney credit for making a deal of this magnitude. It shows that he has confidence in this current group of players and is giving them an added piece that could help the team enjoy a deep run in the playoffs.

We know that Beleskey's days were numbered in Boston since he was assigned to Providence and cleared waivers earlier this season. Spooner finally turned into the player the Bruins have been waiting for this season, but overall his tenure with the Bruins was disappointing.

The biggest question (kidding, of course) is how his name will appear on the back of his new sweater since Riley Nash is already on board. It would be weird if the Bruins go with first and last name for both players.