Rick Nash officially announces retirement from NHL

Rick Nash has decided to formally retire from professional hockey, agent Joe Resnick announced on Friday.

Per Resnick, Nash's decision to retire comes as a result of lingering symptoms from the concussion the 34-year-old sustained on a hit from the Lightning's Cedric Paquette on Mar. 17. Nash would finish the game, but reported back to the Bruins two days later feeling ill, and missed the following 11 games due to a concussion.

Nash would return for the B's 12-game playoff run, but clearly wasn't himself, and finished the postseason with just three goals on 39 shots and five points to go with a minus-7 rating. It was a sour ending to what was a successful trade out of the gate, as the 6-foot-4 winger was a seamless fit with Jake DeBrusk and David Krejci's on the B's second line.

Given his fit within the Boston roster, the Bruins were among those that checked in with Nash periodically throughout the summer and into the season to inquire in regards to his interest in a return.

But they, like every team that reached out, were repeatedly told that Nash had yet to make a decision on his playing future.

Acquired from the Rangers in exchange for Matt Beleskey with 50 percent of his salary retained, Ryan Spooner, prospect Ryan Lindgren, and a 2018 first-round pick, Nash totaled three goals and six points in his 11-game regular season run with the Bruins.

With the Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets before his Boston run, Nash was an eight-time 30-goal scorer, six-time All-Star, and captured the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer in 2004.

He retires with the 67th-most goals (437) and 161st-most points (805) among NHLers.