Is There A Riley Nash Divide?

I won't say much about my own opinions, but it's becoming clear that there's a divide in opinion over Riley Nash.

The people who tend to see Nash a lot at the college level (ECAC and NCAA observers) are less "sold" on him than those who see him in other capacities (juniors, NHL camp).

I've talked to people, both Cornell fans and others who watch ECAC hockey, who don't think Nash is Cornell's best player. That honor would go to Colin Greening, the two-year captain who actually scored more goals than Nash did last year. Riley might have more raw talent, but these people think that Greening is more of a factor on the ice.

Of course, there is no denying that Nash is a great hockey player. He earned more votes than Zane Kalemba in voting for the media's preseason all-conference team.

But the media might be influenced more by some of the hype than by Nash's actual play.

The College Hockey News' preseason all-CHN team was released today, and there is no mention of Riley Nash. Not only was he left off the first and second teams (unlike fellow ECAC stars McIntyre, Kalemba, and Backman) but he didn't even get a mention in the "players to watch" category. This can only be interpreted as a snubbing, since both Greening and Scrivens were mentioned.

On the other hand, check out this blog post by an NHL recruiting guru who predicts the top candidates for the Hobey Baker:

4) Riley Nash (Cornell) - I was speaking with a contact in the WCHA and asked him for his thoughts on Hobey Baker candidates this year and he not only said Big Red forward Riley Nash might be 'in the mix' but that he was his choice to actually win the award. The ECAC's short schedule might seem like a disadvantage since lower point totals should reasonably be expected. However, Nash has been a scoring leader for Cornell through two seasons and plans to take his game to another level this coming year. Edmonton drafted Nash in the 1st round back in 2007 while he was still playing in the BCHL with Salmon Arm.

So here's a couple of people who don't see too many Cornell games who think Nash has a good shot at winning the Hobey (he is, in fact, the only ECAC player in the top 10). Meanwhile, CHN doesn't even think Nash is someone to watch for.

There is no way of knowing which side (if either) is right about Nash until the season gets going. But it's interesting that there's such a difference of opinion. Obviously, if Nash has the breakout year that many are expecting, it's good for Cornell. But it doesn't seem like everyone is quite sold on Nash's talent.

See also: USCHO preseason poll. As with both USA Today and INCH, Cornell is #7.