Concussion forces Nash to hang it up
Rick Nash, right, who spent 15 seasons in the NHL, retired because of lingering concussion symptoms.
Rick Nash has decided to retire at 34 because of unresolved symptoms from a concussion he suffered in March.
Agent Joe Resnick announced Nash’s retirement in a statement Friday. Resnick says Nash decided under advice from doctors that the risk of brain injury was far too great if he returned to play hockey.
Nash scored 437 goals and had 368 assists for 805 points in 1,060 regular-season NHL games. The first overall draft pick in 2002, he played 15 seasons: nine with the Columbus Blue Jackets, five-plus with the New York Rangers and then finished with the Boston Bruins.
A 6-foot-4 power winger with a nose for the net, Nash won gold medals playing for Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics. COYOTES’ RICHARDSON ON IR >> Arizona has placed center Brad Richardson on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, running the Coyotes’ list of missing regulars to six.
Richardson was injured in Arizona’s 4-3 overtime victory over Vancouver on Thursday and the Coyotes said he is week to week.
He joins goalie Antti Raanta, forwards Nick Schmaltz, Michael Grabner, Christian Fischer and defenseman Jason Demers out with injuries.
Richardson, who was limited to 16 games due to injuries in 2016-17, has 11 goals and five assists in 40 games this season.
• The Coyotes acquired center Jordan Weal from the Philadelphia Flyers for a minor leaguer and a draft pick. Weal has three goals and nine points in 28 games for the Flyers this season. The trade announced Friday could be the first of many changes for the Flyers as the trudge into the weekend in last place in the Eastern Conference .
PENGUINS SIGN GOALIE DESMITH
TO CONTRACT EXTENSION >> Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith’s impressive play has earned him a threeyear contract extension.
The deal begins next season and carries an average annual value of $1.25 million. The 27-year-old DeSmith is 12-7-4 with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage for the Penguins. DeSmith began the season as the backup behind Matt Murray but played regularly during November and December while Murray dealt with a lower-body injury and inconsistent play.