Speculation: Will Mats Zuccarello return to the Rangers?

[Webster]

Since Zuccarello hasn't re-signed with the Wild yet, he may have other plans as a UFA next year. I'm sure the Wild would like to keep him for what they can afford, but he can probably double that on the open market. He scored 146 points in the last two seasons.

There's been some talk lately that he's a possible trade target for the Rangers. What a reunion that would be.

Rangers News & Rumors: Zuccarello, Free-Agent Targets & Quick - The Hockey Writers New York Rangers Latest News, Analysis & More

Mats Zuccarello could be a trade target for the New York Rangers this season, while Jonathan Quick is looking to bounce back.

thehockeywriters.com

Click to read more...

 

[roon]

Take him please.

I think you mean Kaprizov scored him 146 points over the last 2 seasons btw....or at least 75% of them.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

We don’t need him. We already got Wheeler as a UFA.

 

[SML2]

No. I love me some Zucci as much as anyone but it's time to start giving Laf and Kakko more opportunity, not less.

 

[AKL]

Anywhere but Minnesota please

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Love zucc, but that shipped sailed a longgg time ago.

 

[Magic Mittens]

Don't see a fit in NYR with there current forward lineup

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Anywhere but Minnesota please

He’s been bad? Haven’t watched enough but the numbers look solid.

 

[Webster]

No. I love me some Zucci as much as anyone but it's time to start giving Laf and Kakko more opportunity, not less.

True, but you also need Zucc's playmaking abilities, experience and leadership. I think there's a big chance this will happen, for a lot of reasons.

 

[AKL]

He’s been bad? Haven’t watched enough but the numbers look solid.

He's been okay propped up heavily by being stapled to Kaprizov's hip. He has not been nearly as good as his point production would suggest. The two have good chemistry together, but as a player on his own merits, he's free falling.

He doesn't really generate or drive offense himself, outside of getting the puck to Kaprizov.

 

[TBF1972]

and play for free? rangers have no cap space.

 

[One Winged Angel]

True, but you also need Zucc's playmaking abilities, experience and leadership. I think there's a big chance this will happen, for a lot of reasons.

There’s also a big chance it won’t happen for a reason that you’re not accounting for, the salary cap.

Love Zuccarello, but they have enough of a dilemma with Lafrenière’s contract. Zuccarello isn’t happening.

 

[Webster]

He’s been bad? Haven’t watched enough but the numbers look solid.

Please just ignore Wild fans. For whatever reason they seem to dislike him, probably because he's north of 30...

Zuccarello will still play well without Kaprizov, he's been consistent around 60 points a season for the last 8 years, no indication this will change. In fact I believe Kaprizov will regress a bit without him, at least until they have a RW who can replace Zucc's production.

Zucc will also reach a couple of milestones this season, 800 games and 600 points.

 

[AKL]

Please just ignore Wild fans. For whatever reason they seem to dislike him, probably because he's north of 30...

Yes, all the Wild fans are collectively wrong and you are the one true beacon of truth.

 

[Leonardo87]

Rangers need to focus on trying to develop their young players , rather than trying to land 35yo’s past their prime.

 

[Webster]

There’s also a big chance it won’t happen for a reason that you’re not accounting for, the salary cap.

Love Zuccarello, but they have enough of a dilemma with Lafrenière’s contract. Zuccarello isn’t happening.

Always a way to work things out when comes to the salary cap, and Zucc won't make a huge impact there. I can see a 35+ contract around $3.5M per yr.

Btw, any chance the Rangers could ship Lafreniere to the Wild?

 

[TGWL]

He will be 36 when starting the season, and 37 starting the following season where he needs a new contract. There is absolutely no reason for the Wild to sign right now. If Wild are in a playoff race, they hold onto him. If they're not, maybe they ship him out at the deadline. There's nothing happening now and it has nothing to do with future contract.

 

[Voight]

There’s also a big chance it won’t happen for a reason that you’re not accounting for, the salary cap.

Love Zuccarello, but they have enough of a dilemma with Lafrenière’s contract. Zuccarello isn’t happening.

Yea I don't see how the Rags fit this under their cap, even if hes 50% retained it would be tight.

 

[SML2]

True, but you also need Zucc's playmaking abilities, experience and leadership. I think there's a big chance this will happen, for a lot of reasons.

No, they dont. Leadership does not mean taking your job while you sit and watch. On top of that, he was vocally upset about how things were ended with the team and Henrik Lundqvist. I don't see him being interested, and the Rangers shouldn't be either.

 

[SML2]

Always a way to work things out when comes to the salary cap, and Zucc won't make a huge impact there. I can see a 35+ contract around $3.5M per yr.

Btw, any chance the Rangers could ship Lafreniere to the Wild?

My man, you are living in an alternate reality.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Nah

I’ll always love him but there’s zero fit or reason to bring him back

 

[Kupo]

True, but you also need Zucc's playmaking abilities, experience and leadership. I think there's a big chance this will happen, for a lot of reasons.

On behalf of all Rangers fans...

 

[Webster]

On behalf of all Rangers fans...

Comments elsewhere about this rumor are mostly positive, so I doubt that's on behalf of all Rangers fans...

 

[innitfam]

Wait Zuccarello is a free agent? I honestly had no idea.

Edit: oh in 2024. I mean maybe he goes back to NY... would need to be cheap though.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Please just ignore Wild fans. For whatever reason they seem to dislike him, probably because he's north of 30...

Zuccarello will still play well without Kaprizov, he's been consistent around 60 points a season for the last 8 years, no indication this will change. In fact I believe Kaprizov will regress a bit without him, at least until they have a RW who can replace Zucc's production.

Zucc will also reach a couple of milestones this season, 800 games and 600 points.

It's a pretty clear reason.