He doesn't need to work on his game IMO Sleeps, he needs to work on being tougher and getting some balls. His game is okay, his heart is the question mark.
And I don't mean heart like he doesn't care or doesn't try, I believe he does, BUT until he gets tougher and says I want this at all costs, and plays with an edge, he will never do well in the playoffs. He sits on the outside and skates around. That is a 6'4" 213 lb man who plays like he is MSL. The next time he is in front for a dirty goal will be one of the first times.
Sadly not sure you can learn that at this stage. He is too nice. I believe it is simply in his DNA to be soft and sweet and nice. That is who he is. And as long as he is this way I just don't ever see him being a playoff success. If he wants an example of how to play playoff hockey with his skills, look at Kreider. Always driving hard. Always in front. Playing a hard game. Playing the game Nash should be playing.
Here are some awesome playoff stats:
41 playoff games and he has 5 goals. That is a 10 goal pace over the regular season. That is a clear issue. 5 goals in 41 playoff games...WOW.
And as Mess has pointed out, even his regular season stats were down this season. Only 26 goals (low for him), and outside of that awesome stretch in Dec/Jan he was bad and didn't really score much at all. His contract is going to be a drain at 7.8 mill per. That number is reserved for stud C's and big time dmen, not for a soft winger. That will really hurt the team IMO. And nothing we can do with him. Has a NTC. Has a huge cap hit. And no way we get fair value for him on our win now team with 2 or 3 years open as our SC window. Tough spot.