Confirmed with Link: Zuccarello Re-Signs (1 year/3.5 AAV)

[Vitto79]

I don't really have time to read every post, but life's very short and I'm rarely serious about anything. My point was not to debate if people were or were not over-reacting, it was to say even if they were, I grasp why.

I realize there's risk signing him long-term, because risk is in inherent in every action and decision we make or avoid. But you work with the data and circumstance before you and try to make the best calculated decision you can. And while I can agree with your assessment on the risk present here, I still fall on the guy's .65 career PPG, his professionalism and work ethic, his never-wavering commitment to the NYR, and his desire to improve and succeed, which is backed by a track record of consistent improvement. For me, that mitigates the potential risks of signing him long-term and to me at least it looks a lot riskier to not lock him up longer.

I rarely jump to rash conclusions, nor do I feel any disdain for the FO. I think things are more done by committee these days, and the results the past few seasons are somewhat hard to argue against. Nonetheless, this actual situation gives me a bad feeling and I simply have a concern, for reasons already stated, that it may well backfire. This could all amount to nothing, but the potential for this to bite the team in the ass is somewhat hard to ignore imo.

well we were all paranoid with Brad Richards getting hurt and them not being able to buy him out but that worked out.

Lets not flip out and worry that Zucc will leave as a Free Agent. If he comes in and does well he will get his extension in January. It wont go to Free Agency

 

[Fletch]

I don't really have time to read every post, but life's very short and I'm rarely serious about anything. My point was not to debate if people were or were not over-reacting, it was to say even if they were, I grasp why.

I realize there's risk signing him long-term, because risk is in inherent in every action and decision we make or avoid. But you work with the data and circumstance before you and try to make the best calculated decision you can. And while I can agree with your assessment on the risk present here, I still fall on the guy's .65 career PPG, his professionalism and work ethic, his never-wavering commitment to the NYR, and his desire to improve and succeed, which is backed by a track record of consistent improvement. For me, that mitigates the potential risks of signing him long-term and to me at least it looks a lot riskier to not lock him up longer.

I rarely jump to rash conclusions, nor do I feel any disdain for the FO. I think things are more done by committee these days, and the results the past few seasons are somewhat hard to argue against. Nonetheless, this actual situation gives me a bad feeling and I simply have a concern, for reasons already stated, that it may well backfire. This could all amount to nothing, but the potential for this to bite the team in the ass is somewhat hard to ignore imo.

Yup! This could. Then you have Staal. Sign, trade or lose to UFA. And there is also Stepan and Hagelin as RFAs whose prices are only going up. There currently do not appear to be adequate replacements for both, or either and looking forward things could get uglier, on a cap basis, then they are today unless the cap goes up generously. This is the dynamic that sees Zucc getting a one-year deal instead of long-term. Sather, though, doesn't often lose things for nothing. Let's see what tricks he has up his sleeve (good and bad, of course!).

 

[Ilovemymum]

The cap hit is a total divided by number of years. If MZA made 3.5 next season and 4.5 the following, the cap hit would be 4 for both years.

Ah. Thanks. Hence 1. of January I guess. So that means they could allready have an understanding / agreement of a 4.5 extention?

 

[TheTakedown]

Ah. Thanks. Hence 1. of January I guess. So that means they could allready have an understanding / agreement of a 4.5 extention?

i think that is what everyone is assuming

 

[darko]

Ah. Thanks. Hence 1. of January I guess. So that means they could allready have an understanding / agreement of a 4.5 extention?

Possibly.

But I think it's more likely that his management advised MZA to take a 1 year deal and then chase the big bucks this time next year. Cant say I blame him.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Ah. Thanks. Hence 1. of January I guess. So that means they could allready have an understanding / agreement of a 4.5 extention?

Doubt that was even spoken about

 

[Wolfy*]

Doubt that was even spoken about

Negotiations will continue, and he might sign a long term deal in January. It was done this way because of the cap issue. That's what Zucc told Norwegian media.

 

[nyr2k2]

Doubt that was even spoken about

I wold guess future dollars may have been discussed, at least in passing, but I'd be shocked if they had agreed to a future deal already.

 

[Ilovemymum]

I wold guess future dollars may have been discussed, at least in passing, but I'd be shocked if they had agreed to a future deal already.

Thanks for the replies. Guess it would be somewhat of an elephant in the room, if they were just sitting there and signing a 1 year deal in silence.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I wold guess future dollars may have been discussed, at least in passing, but I'd be shocked if they had agreed to a future deal already.

Maybe, I just think thats getting into a slippery slope. What if hes ineffective next season? What if he gets injured? Tough to negotiate in good faith in this sort of issue. I think its more likely the Rangers said "Heres a 1 year deal with a 3-fold raise, this if our offer or else we're off to arbitration."

 

[Tawnos]

I wold guess future dollars may have been discussed, at least in passing, but I'd be shocked if they had agreed to a future deal already.

Technically, those discussions HAVE to be in passing. Verbal agreements on future contracts violate the CBA, as they can be considered cap circumvention. Difficult to prove, of course.

There's some question as to whether the Detroit deal with Cleary was in violation, but since he didn't receive a raise, it's even harder to prove than the usual bit.

 

[Cake or Death]

Yup! This could. Then you have Staal. Sign, trade or lose to UFA. And there is also Stepan and Hagelin as RFAs whose prices are only going up. There currently do not appear to be adequate replacements for both, or either and looking forward things could get uglier, on a cap basis, then they are today unless the cap goes up generously. This is the dynamic that sees Zucc getting a one-year deal instead of long-term. Sather, though, doesn't often lose things for nothing. Let's see what tricks he has up his sleeve (good and bad, of course!).

I can't say I'm overly worried about things. From what I keep hearing and seeing, things seem more run by group input these days and the results the past few seasons - conf final, round 2, final - are hard to argue against. So I can't question the boys upstairs all too much. If I am at all concerned here, it's because Zucc brings a combination of attitude, work ethic, team first mentality and skill set that don't seem all too easily replaced.

 

[Trxjw]

It's a gamble for both sides. If Zucc reverts to .5PPG, he'll get less money. If he has an even better year, he'll earn himself even more money and the Rangers will have missed an opportunity to get him on a cheaper deal. Given how much he's improved overall, and that he'll likely be seeing more ice at ES this year, I find it hard to imagine that he'll regress.

I'm not that worried about next season. Yes, MSL will be a UFA, but if Zuccarello earns a long term deal, the team isn't going to let a contract for a soon-to-be 40 year old get in the way of retaining the guy who was arguably the teams best forward this season. There's even the possibility that MSL doesn't come back for another year depending on how well he plays this season.

I expect McIlrath or Allen to be knocking on the door for bottom-pairing duty by mid-season, and that means Klein can then be moved to free up more room. I also expect that if Zucc is on a 60-point pace going into the New Year, we'll see an extension announced early in January.

 

[cwede]

I think this great and Zucc did the the team a small favor by betting on himself.
This year's Cap is artificially low.
Having his AAV at $3.5M is just about the most significant move of the offseason.

after next year, MSL's cap hit will vanish or go down, the Cap will go up.
but IMHO any worrying about the Cap after this season is just mental masturbation, too many things change.

there are many teams that are already ham-strung for '14-'15, we're in the middle, that is great news

 

[Fletch]

It's a gamble for both sides. If Zucc reverts to .5PPG, he'll get less money. If he has an even better year, he'll earn himself even more money and the Rangers will have missed an opportunity to get him on a cheaper deal. Given how much he's improved overall, and that he'll likely be seeing more ice at ES this year, I find it hard to imagine that he'll regress.

I'm not that worried about next season. Yes, MSL will be a UFA, but if Zuccarello earns a long term deal, the team isn't going to let a contract for a soon-to-be 40 year old get in the way of retaining the guy who was arguably the teams best forward this season. There's even the possibility that MSL doesn't come back for another year depending on how well he plays this season.

I expect McIlrath or Allen to be knocking on the door for bottom-pairing duty by mid-season, and that means Klein can then be moved to free up more room. I also expect that if Zucc is on a 60-point pace going into the New Year, we'll see an extension announced early in January.

it's a gamble on both sides but I think more of a gamble on the Rangers' side. If Zucc takes a step back this season, the Rangers will come in with a low ball offer and he may be tempted to test the UFA market and will likely get more than what the Rangers offer. Zucc's biggest risk is injury, but even then if it's something from which he can recover, someone still will likely pay him. The cap crunch next season may be worse than this season, unless some kids are really ready to take it to the next level.

 

[Ilovemymum]

I'm an idiot in mosts things in life, but I've been following Zuccarello to the brink of sanity & marriage and feel like I know him pretty well. If I get it right, that any debate of an extended is a violation and cannot occur at this stage, I jugde this to be a very risky move by Rangers. He's been given nothing extra in any negotiations with the Rangers while explicitly saying that he is willing to adjust / be resonable. He's the real deal, as much of a team player as anyone can get, and he wants as much to be a Ranger as anyone, but up till now he's been on the giving side. I don't see that happening again, months away from a free agent status. I think he will stay on, but it will be costly, and much more expensive than signing him now. He was an important part of Rangers making it to the POs and then the SC final. People notice his importance for a successfull team now, rather than being just a fan favorite and entertainer. What can he make in the open market? And how much is he willing to pay to stay in NY? Pretty much comes down to that.

 

[NYR Viper]

As of right now, MZA needs to be a priority to re-sign as the season moves along

 

[pld459666]

The Canadian TV contract paid the NHL $140M. The new TV contract will pay the NHL $375M next season. Those figures are in Canadian dollars.

The NHL had 6 outdoor games last season. They have 2 scheduled for this coming season. The outdoor games print money. Winter Classic in Washington and game in San Francisco between SJ and LA.

That's a significant shortfall in revenue. They packed over 100,000 into Michigan stadium and have 5 other games.

The Canadian dollar is major factor. If it wasn't a factor,the cap would be $71M instead of $69M. The players didn't want to include any of the new TV money because they would lose more money in escrow. The players are guaranteed 50%. Not a penny more.

The NHL gave a $71M estimate for the cap in early December. The dollar slumped and Bettman lowered the estimate to $69M-$70M. The NHL tried to get the TV money into the mix to get it back to $71M but the players wouldn't go for it.

Every year the cap is going up to $75M.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the players also have a 5% kicker to the agreed upon cap number that they did NOT trigger this year.

Even if there is a leveling of revenue where year over year cap remains 69 million or marginally goes up to 70-71 million. The players are not going to go two years in a row without triggering that 5% kicker.

Worst case the cap stays flat, players trigger the kicker and the cap moves to 72.45 million.

Cap creeps up slightly to 71, the kicker pushes that to 74.55

 

[pld459666]

As of right now, MZA needs to be a priority to re-sign as the season moves along

Put yourself in Zuccs/Rangers shoes.

Do you do this one year deal without assurances (both ways) that the favor granted today would be repaid at a later date?

I wouldn't on either side of that table.

I have a feeling that there are going to be some MAJOR changes for the 2015-16 season.

 

[Wolfy*]

Here it is, contract signed.

Along with this he wrote..."Proud to be a NYR for at least one more year!! LGR!"

At least? Sounds like there's more going on

 

[Clown Fiesta]

They had him take a one year to fit in right now, then will give him a nice raise next year. He'll stay because he likes being a Ranger. It's a gentleman's agreement IMO.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Here it is, contract signed.

Along with this he wrote..."Proud to be a NYR for at least one more year!! LGR!"

At least? Sounds like there's more going on

Looks like a gem of a family photo collage behind him haha

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

I got a feeling we will sign him providing he's still performing after Jan 1.

 

[Nyrvana]

it's a gamble on both sides but I think more of a gamble on the Rangers' side. If Zucc takes a step back this season, the Rangers will come in with a low ball offer and he may be tempted to test the UFA market and will likely get more than what the Rangers offer. Zucc's biggest risk is injury, but even then if it's something from which he can recover, someone still will likely pay him. The cap crunch next season may be worse than this season, unless some kids are really ready to take it to the next level.

If he reverts to a .5 ppg player, then maybe that's what he is. If another team wants to pay him more money than that, let them. I think Brassard is being criminally underrated, and one without the other wouldn't even put up .5 ppg.

 

[Ilovemymum]

If he reverts to a .5 ppg player, than maybe that's what he is. If another team wants to pay him more money than that, let them. I think Brassard is being criminally underrated, and one without the other wouldn't even put up .5 ppg.

Kreider, Stepan & Zuke was closer to PPG for him. I like Brassard a lot, but fear he will alwaya be inconsistent and a bit of a gamble.