Selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round (No. 21) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Nash played alongside his brother, Brenden, at Cornell University and was named ECAC Rookie of the Year with 12 goals and 20 assists.

But following his junior year, the Oilers traded Nash's rights to the Carolina Hurricanes on June 25, 2010 for a second-round pick at that year's Draft. Nash signed a three-year, entry level contract with the Hurricanes on July 19, 2010.

Nash played the majority of the next three seasons in the American Hockey League; he had one assist in five games for the Hurricanes in 2011-12. Midway through the 2012-2013 season, he landed a full-time NHL role. In 2013-14, he scored 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 73 games.

On July 1, 2016, Nash signed a two-year contract with the Boston Bruins. He set NHL career highs in goals (15), assists (26) and points (41) with the Bruins in 2017-18.

Nash again became a free agent and signed a three-year contract with the Blue Jackets on July 1, 2018. He scored 12 points (three goals, nine assists) during the regular season, then helped Columbus win a Stanley Cup Playoff series for the first time, a four-game sweep against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference First Round. Nash had one goal and two assists in seven playoff games.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• ECAC All-Rookie Team (2008)
• ECAC Rookie of the Year (2008)
• ECAC First All-Star Team (2009)
• Traded to Carolina by Edmonton for Ottawa's 2nd round pick (previously acquired, Edmonton selected Martin Marincin) in 2010 NHL Draft, June 25, 2010.
• Signed as a free agent by Boston, July 1, 2016.
• Signed as a free agent by Columbus, July 1, 2018.
• Traded to Toronto by Columbus for a conditional pick in 2022 NHL Draft, April 9, 2021.
• Signed as a free agent by Winnipeg, July 31, 2021.
• Claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay from Winnipeg, December 7, 2021.
• Claimed off waivers by Arizona from Tampa Bay, January 6, 2022.
• Traded to Tampa Bay by Arizona for future considerations, March 21, 2022.