Rick Nash on dad endorsements and 3-on-3 OT hesitations
NEW YORK – Rick Nash of the New York Rangers waited for the large line of fans, braving a steady rain, to make their way over for a photo op. Smile for the camera, sell a few products – such is life for a hockey star with an endorsement deal.
Even if it’s an endorsement deal his nearly one-year-old son might enjoy more than Nash would.
“All the other endorsements go out the window, and you get the Playmobil one. That’s what happens when you have a little one,” he said.
Nash was at the NHL Store in Manhattan on Thursday pushing the new Playmobil NHL line.
Basically, it’s like a table hockey game for wee ones. The NHL Hockey Arena ($59.99) houses little players and goalies from Original Six teams. Kids hold the players with their hands on the rink, and operate a lever to swing the player’s stick to take shots. A joystick controls the goalie to make saves.
It’s all super cute.
Even if you have to buy the referee package to get the Stanley Cup:
Nash used to play table hockey a young Ontario boy. “This one’s almost an upgrade, with the players actually on the ice,” he said.
But Nash said he probably played more bubble hockey growing up, hitting the arcade with his friends.
USA vs. Russia?
“Canada vs. Russia. It might have actually been Canada vs. the USA,” he said. “I just remember the different techniques: Banking it all the back wall, or trying to turn the faceoff into a breakaway. It was pretty cool.”
What Nash hopes in endorsing a toy like this? To make actual, hands-on toys cool for his son’s generation.
“I feel like everything’s with your cell phone now. It’s video games. We’d be outside playing road hockey all day and then we’d come in and play games like this,” he said.
As for the games that’ll being next week for Nash’s Rangers, the veteran winger is excited. Especially with Mats Zuccarello back on his line after suffering an injury late last season.
“He’s looked great in the preseason. It’s great to have him back. On our line, especially. We had great chemistry,” Nash said. “And it’s not just on the ice but in the room too. He’s a funny guy. He keeps it light.”
He’s also the kind of player that can fly in the 3-on-3 overtime, which comes to the NHL this season.
“It’s been fun to play. It’s been fun to watch. But I just can’t get a grip around how it’s going to be. Is it worth a team missing the playoffs, with those important points in the line?” asked Nash.
Isn’t that what they said about the shootout? “Didn’t the Rangers miss the playoffs a few years back, in the shootout?” he asked.
“I just feel you keep it 5-on-5 in the playoffs, and you play … for a season to come down to what happens in the shootout. Maybe have a tie. I don’t know.”
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