2002 NHL Entry Draft

RICK NASH

COLUMBUS • ROUND: 1 OVERALL: 1

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Previous Team: London Knights (OHL)

Pre-Draft Rankings

NHL Central Scouting: 2  Midterm Rank: 2

The Hockey News: 3    Red Line Report: 3

Vital Statistics

Position: LW • Height: 6-3 • Weight: 188 • Shoots: Left
Birthdate: June 16, 1984 • Hometown: Brampton, Ontario

Pre-Draft Notes

Central Scouting Report: Rick is a very good skater with a solid combination of speed, power and lateral movement ... is strong along the boards and in the corners ... an excellent puck-handler with impressive scoring ability ... possesses solid paymaking and passing skills ... has a good wrist shot with a quick release and is very effective at shooting while in full flight ... a constant offensive threat and a tough player to defend against ... a strong competitor who adapts well to both the finesse and physical aspects of the game ... a high endurance player who is used in every game situation.

THN Draft Preview: About the only thing preventing Rick Nash from being the coveted top pick is his skating. Everything else is there. Nash is strong along the wall and deadly in front of the net. He is smart with the puck and doesn't shy away from the rough going. The only downside is his skating. Despite this weakness, Nash pretty much accomplished everything he wanted to this season. That being the case, the issue of skating may be moot. Whoever picks him up will turn a blind eye to how Nash gets from Point A to Point B.

Red Line Report: The most offensive upside of any player in the draft. Has good size and at times a nasty disposition. Goes to the net and willing to take a beating to hold position in scoring territory. The bigger the game, the better he plays. Phenomenal hands and lightning quick release give him the ability to be in rare company as a natural goal scorer. Has the all-important skill of scoring huge, clutch goals and raising his game in the last 10 minutes. Frequently beats quality defensemen in 1-on-1 situations through sheer desire. Also has the non-physical tooos -- passion temperament and leadership. His game is not without flaws. His skating, while not a problem, needs some work, especially in first-step quickness. Also needs to concentrate on defensive-zone coverage and developing a more consistent work ethic.
Projection: Top line sniping winger with star potential. Style compares to Dany Heatley.

Pre-Draft Quotes

I've never seen a player step in at such a young age and be able to dominate a game the way he has. I remember last season, as a rookie, Rick grabbed the puck and undressed Rostislav Klesla, and I hadn't seen anyone do that in two years. He's a great player.

-- Stan Butler, World Junior Head Coach, Team Canada

There were many nights last season when he was our best player, and that's pretty remarkable for a 16-year-old right out of bantam hockey. It's a huge jump from that level to ours, far more so than from Tier II or Junior B, where most of the kids in this league come from.

-- Lindsay Hofford, Head Coach, London Knights

When a 16-year-old is as dominant as he was last year, you know he's the real thing.

-- Sherry Bassin, General Manager, Erie Otters

He is a great competitor who can put up points. He has great characters. He's a front-line player.

-- Anonymous NHL Scout, Hockey News Draft Preview