The Zuccarello Appreciation Thread (Videos inside)

[Maineice11]

Hes useful on the powerplay. Creative little guy. Hes still absolutely lost on the defensive side of the puck. I dont know if he'll ever learn that part of the game and, if he doesnt, he'll never get consistent even strength minutes at the NHL level.

I disagree...i have felt his play away from the puck since he's been back up here has been really improved and looked really good all around. He has gotten back and made great plays backchecking and has done well getting it out of our zone.

 

[Jim Ramsay]

He's a nice 3rd line energy player and I've noticed the chemistry between him and Boyle. I like the guy, he's a creative player and he's a class act, but I do not see a spot for him on the playoff roster under the impression that the team is fully healthy.

I understand that everyone loves the blue-collar mentality of the team, but seriously how many times have Dubinsky and Boyle let us down in goal scoring opportunities. Zucc in the offensive zone has really added an element to this team that hasn't been seen in weeks. IMO you find a way to have Zucc be a part of your top 3 lines as an offensive/pp threat

 

[Drewbackatu*]

It should make everybody very happy to see Zucarello come up from Hartford and perform this way.

Tell me - when was the last time you saw the Rangers make one of those faceoff win, puck back to a guy waiting for it, hammer at the net plays. I'm not saying that they are common in the league, but I really cannot remember the last time the Rangers did this. It was a beautiful play, even if it rang off the post. At least Zuccs can hit the net.

His first goal after coming up when he was in the crease causing havoc. His goal against the Devils where he went to the net, and then did not shoot the puck wide or over the net.
This is the kind of basic hockey stuff we need. Richards is getting back to it, and doing well. Callahan has always done it.
I hope it continues to be contagious.

Zuccarello is a breath of fresh air. He shows a nose for the net, he can pass, and he is not afraid of the dirty stuff. What's not to like? (Yeah, I know I will hear from some people taking me up on my offer ;-) )

Agree 100%. The guy has a lot of skill and hockey smarts and is definitely worth keeping with the team going forward.

 

[Chimpradamus]

Oh that is good to hear. I really want him to stay a Ranger. He is my favorite current player.

I have Theo Fleury as one of my favourite players all time, so I can definitely relate. Zook the Hobbit Wizard, with his skill, smarts, heart and current history is a guy I'm rooting so hard for. Being kind of small myself who played sports at a high level, I logically have a soft heart for hobbits.

Hope he keeps up showing he wants to be a difference maker on this team. I believe he can, he sees the ice so well and can thread the puck on a string. His shot isn't that terrible either. If Torts wants to use him as a PP specialist, so be it, it's perfectly visible he has turned our brutal PP into at least an acceptable one. They move the puck so much faster now and are better at gaining puck control in the offensive zone to set up plays, which is key.

But it currently feels downright criminal not to use him more at even strength right now with how he has performed. He single handedly turned a line with Mitchell and Boyle into a scoring threat. Give Zook a partner like Callahan who actually has a nose for the net and he will pot some easy goals. I also hope he can continue finding chemistry with D-men like Del Zotto, McDonagh and Strålman (come on Torts, give him more ice time to play out of his slump, he was a top 4 D-man for us earlier in the season logging 20+ minutes for crying out loud and has the best - and arguably only used - hip check on the team), who all like to pinch. Remember those goals by Del Zotto, assisted by Zook in the preseason? Those were some pretty goals.

 

[ThirdEye]

He has a few flaws to iron out, but doesn't just about every single player that comes into the league? He can do things most other players can't, so why not give a chance to play and get better?

I really liked what I saw from him against the smelly Devils. He was all over the ice and created some of the better chances we had. He puts 100% into every shift, is which is not something you can say about a lot of players

Sadly, I'm afraid the remaining games is the last we'll be seeing of him. There are just so many other teams were he would be a better fit

 

[Hire Sather]

If Scott can play a regular shift, so can Zuc.. simple as that.

 

[trilobyte]

He's a nice 3rd line energy player and I've noticed the chemistry between him and Boyle. I like the guy, he's a creative player and he's a class act, but I do not see a spot for him on the playoff roster under the impression that the team is fully healthy.

I sure do disagree.

 

[Riverdale]

Love the guy, he deserves to be here.

 

[Zucc36]

The Red Wings are one of the teams that have had eyes on Zuke. If he plays another big game against them tonight, it would surely increase their interest, and I wouldn´t be surprised if he ends up in Detroit this summer...

 

[Pucktrader]

The Red Wings are one of the teams that have had eyes on Zuke. If he plays another big game against them tonight, it would surely increase their interest, and I wouldn´t be surprised if he ends up in Detroit this summer...

Wouldnt it be even harder for him to secure a spot on that team?

 

[Zucc36]

Wouldnt it be even harder for him to secure a spot on that team?

No Idea, but they do have a more passing style of play.
I personally think the best team for Zuke would be for a weaker team that are rebuilding. For him to get a role in a top 6 for a team like Carolina could be a possible break through for him.

Unless of course, the Rangers want to keep him....

 

[SlingshotVv]

Something I don't get with a lot of the posts here: people harp about his small size, and his inability to play a truly effective physical game, and then use that as a justification for him not being able to play in the NHL.

It's as if he the tools he does have don't have a place on a team like the NYR. He finds open ice in the offensive zone, he's a very good passer, he has excellent on-ice vision and awareness, and he can finish.

Physical tools are very valuable in the NHL, no doubt about it, but those other tools are also a premium. Especially on a team with an embarrassment of riches in the other physical tool department.

The guy can play hockey. He doesn't have some tools but the one's he does have are close to an elite level. We don't talk about players like Prust as if they have no place in this league. Prust brings physicality, aggressiveness, and on-ice smarts. He creates lots of turn-overs, but he's not a top notch passer, offensive player, or finisher. Yet we acknowledge that he has a definite role in this league and on this team. In my opinion MZA does as well.

Also, his defense is not that bad at all. His time in Hartford proved the guy can generate turnovers, and he is a good stick checker. He is also much better along the boards than most people give him credit for.

The guy has 2 posts, 2 goals, and got robbed once in 4 games. He also put a goal on a silver platter for Boyle, that Boyler was just unable to finish. He's obviously finding open ice easily, and is pulling the trigger. A little luck and he'd be sitting at 5g, 1a in 4GP right now. How in the hell is it questionable the NYR could make good use of his skill-set right now?

 

[Ilovemymum]

3 points i 5 games at 11:41 TOI average. Small sample but that is pretty damn good, considering he's EV minutes are along Mitchel, Rupp, Boyle etc. (Not that they are bad players, but not producers like BR og Gaborik.) Considering the PP was a mess before he was called up, he definately adds some. Gaborik has averaged 21:41 for the past five games with 7 points, but that's along side Hagelin and Richards. Zuccs more of a passer than goal scorer, but now has 2 goals and a pass. If he had some more minutes with guys that could put the puck in the net, he'd be right up there.

 

[Pucktrader]

No Idea, but they do have a more passing style of play.
I personally think the best team for Zuke would be for a weaker team that are rebuilding. For him to get a role in a top 6 for a team like Carolina could be a possible break through for him.

Unless of course, the Rangers want to keep him....

I think they want him, they were fully aware of his offensive abilies when they bought him but also saw his flaws when he got ice time. I think they sent him down solely to improve himself, not because they didnt want him. They didnt trade him,and didnt even say he was tradeable. I believe they had/has long term plans for him so a new contract is probably being offered to him post season. However, I do think Zuc wants clear words and a one way contract before he signs. If he continues to play and plays well the rest of the season he gets good cards on his hands and can set some terms. I do hope he will be a Ranger next season as a top 6 forward, but its a certain chance that he ends up in a bad NHl team somewhere.

 

[KenGuru]

Hagelin - Richards - Gaborik
Dubinsky - Stepan - Callahan
MZA- AA- Mitchell
Rupp/Fedotenko - Boyle - Prust

 

[Pucktrader]

Hagelin - Richards - Gaborik
MZA - Stepan - Callahan
Dubinsky - AA(Mitchell) - Fedotenko
Rupp - Boyle - Prust

Likey likey !

 

[Nosferatos]

The size/physical thing is so funny atm. Last night he had three hits, one which was really sweet where he crushed some Debbie in the corner.

He's all over the ice, won't shy away from the fights, and even crashes the net.

He's like a pittbull terrier, small but feisty and energetic.

*EDIT* Anyone got a video of the hit? Would be much appreciated.

 

[Ilovemymum]

The size/physical thing is so funny atm. Last night he had three hits, one which was really sweet where he crushed some Debbie in the corner.

He's all over the ice, won't shy away from the fights, and even crashes the net.

He's like a pittbull terrier, small but feisty and energetic.

*EDIT* Anyone got a video of the hit? Would be much appreciated.

Nope but this one is pretty nice

http://www.snyrangersblog.com/2011/10/02/watch-mats-zuccarellos-hit-on-a-6-5-player/

 

[Ilovemymum]

Might allready be posted.

“We want to re-sign him,” Rangers general manager Glen Sather told The Record Tuesday. “

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/

“When I got called up, I was thinking to myself I just have to play my game,” Zuccarello said. “This is the chance I get and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. My mindset coming up was that I only had that many games left to prove myself.

“I want to show New York that this is where I want to play.”

 

[Nosferatos]

Might allready be posted.

“We want to re-sign him,” Rangers general manager Glen Sather told The Record Tuesday. “

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/

“When I got called up, I was thinking to myself I just have to play my game,” Zuccarello said. “This is the chance I get and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. My mindset coming up was that I only had that many games left to prove myself.

“I want to show New York that this is where I want to play.”

Torts, Sign him up!

 

[Pucktrader]

Going out already saying that? Other teams breathing down their neck maybe? No less than a one way contract Mats !!!!

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Torts, Sign him up!

Tortorella isn't the GM.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

He has looked very good.

My major concern was his skating and strength.

It looks like those two flaws were improved. And the difference is like night and day.

Before he couldn't win races to pucks he couldn't get back on the back check. He got out muscled.

Now, he's much faster. Much stronger. And looks more confident. He's winning races to loose pucks, he's winning battles for pucks, he's getting back and breaking up plays.

Its amazing what improving correctable flaws can do for a player.

I hope it lasts, because he's had an impact.

 

[Stugots]

He's a nice 3rd line energy player and I've noticed the chemistry between him and Boyle. I like the guy, he's a creative player and he's a class act, but I do not see a spot for him on the playoff roster under the impression that the team is fully healthy.

Really? Who do you see ahead of him? I'd rather have MZA in the lineup over Scott, Mitchell, and Feds to be honest.

 

[Nosferatos]

Tortorella isn't the GM.

True, but's i'll bet my ass on that Torts have the final say on who stays and who goes.