By Sean Hartnett

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Speculation is increasing that the Rangers could explore the possibility of trading star winger Rick Nash in an attempt to free up much-needed cap space. In Thursday’s appearance on TSN 1050 Toronto, insider Bob McKenzie stated he “would not be surprised if they had to consider the notion of what would Rick Nash fetch in a trade.”

Currently, the Rangers have roughly $60.5 million committed to 15 players ahead of the 2015-16 season. With next season’s salary cap expected to be $71 million, the Rangers will have to get creative to make room to re-sign restricted free agents Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast.

Nash’s contract carries a $7.8 million cap hit through the 2017-18 season. Much of the speculation surrounding Nash’s future is based on his full no-move clause expiring this summer. On July 1, Nash’s full no-move clause becomes a modified no-trade. Once it becomes a modified NTC, the soon-to-be 31-year-old winger would be subjected to naming 10-12 teams that he would approve a trade to.

Trading Nash would be a major shakeup to a Rangers team that came very close to reaching a second consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance. It would be a step back for a team that is all about winning now. This is not the time for an overreaction, especially given Nash’s high-impact postseason.

While the Rangers’ possession numbers fell off a cliff during the playoffs, Nash drove possession while being matched up against top opposition defensive pairings.

Behind playoff dynamo Derick Brassard, Nash finished second on the Rangers with 14 points in 19 playoff games. His plus-eight rating was also second highest behind Brassard – and that’s with Nash averaging 1:17 shorthanded TOI/GP. He and Keith Yandle shared the team lead with nine playoff assists.

Nash averaged a point per game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final. His three goals and four assists was exactly the same output that Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane enjoyed against the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Final.

No. 61 played a complete forward’s game throughout the entirety of the playoffs. He was active, physically engaged, made important defensive-zone plays and excelled in transition. Prior to the Stanley Cup Final, Nash ranked third among all NHL skaters with 15 takeaways. He has since been surpassed by Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa. Nash is currently fourth overall in playoff takeaways. His 40 hits ranked fifth highest on the Rangers this postseason. He played a smart game too, only committing 4 PIM in 351:35 total playoff minutes.

It’s hard to understand why the Rangers would consider dumping a player that played a big part in getting the Rangers to a seventh Eastern Conference Final game. Keep in mind, Nash was without regular linemate Mats Zuccarello for the final 14 playoff games as a brain contusion kept Zuccarello sidelined for the entirety of the Rangers’ series against the Lightning and Washington Capitals.

Instead of pointing the finger of blame entirely in Nash’s direction, how about taking a deeper look at the Rangers’ blue liners that underperformed during the playoffs. Granted, this group dealt with a collection of hindering injuries.

Captain Ryan McDonagh performed admirably throughout the playoffs and pushed through a broken right foot since Game 4 of the Conference Final. Yandle enjoyed an excellent playoffs, especially in the Tampa series when he recovered to a near 100 percent from a sprained AC joint suffered during round one against Pittsburgh. Marc Staal sustained a hairline ankle fracture prior to the playoffs. Dan Girardi labored through an MCL sprain after Game 4 of the Conference Final. Kevin Klein missed the entire first round against Pittsburgh because of a broken arm.

Girardi, Staal and Klein had their share of struggles throughout the playoffs. Given Girardi’s warrior-like mentality and the amount of punishment he takes on a nightly basis, it’s probable that he wasn’t 100 percent prior to the MCL sprain. Few players are 100 percent after a long, grueling regular season anyway. Klein did not play anywhere close to his eye-opening regular-season performances. Staal was not his usual, shutdown-defending self.

Staal, Girardi, and Dan Boyle’s contracts each have no-movement clauses next season. That means they’re going nowhere. There have been some suggestions that the Rangers should consider buying out Boyle, but he did exactly what he was brought here for. Boyle collected 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 19 playoff games. His six power-play points (one goal, five assists) was a team high. Similar to Nash, a lot of Rangers fans vented their anger at Boyle for one shortcoming while missing the entire picture. A few glaring turnovers led fans to assign blame to Boyle, but he played very solid in the defensive end. Only Tampa Bay top-pair defensemen Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman and Montreal D-man Jeff Petry allowed less shot attempts per 60 minutes.

Girardi’s performances haven’t been up to par in consecutive playoffs. The decision to let the possession-dominant Stralman walk and extend a declining, slow-skating Girardi will continue to hurt the Rangers for years to come. But the Rangers are stuck with Girardi until his modified NTC kicks in during the summer of 2017.

There are other ways of shedding cap space than floating Nash on the trade block. Klein’s $2.9 million average-annual cap hit could be attractive to a number of teams seeking a top-four quality defenseman. A package of Klein and backup goalie Cam Talbot could be particularly intriguing to general managers looking for a shutdown D-man and a goalie upgrade.

Look for the Talbot chatter to pick up as the June 26 NHL Draft in Sunrise, Florida nears.

Follow Sean on Twitter @HartnettHockey.