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

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Despite the rhetoric around here because Zuccarello is a fan favorite, I refuse to believe the 1 year deal was simply the result of a cap crunch.

If the Rangers really wanted to give him a long extension, they would have found a way to make it work. Implying that the extension is just a formality suggests the Rangers believe hes done enough already to deserve it. I dont think thats the case from the Rangers perspective.

 

[RGY]

And BRB from their perspective i think the rangers are right to think that. He has battled injuries which forced him to have a hard time sticking in the lineup. He needs to do more for that extension

 

[Tawnos]

Yeah and, as I've mentioned before, we don't know how effective he is regularly playing against tougher opposition. Not upset with a 1 year deal.

 

[Fletch]

And BRB from their perspective i think the rangers are right to think that. He has battled injuries which forced him to have a hard time sticking in the lineup. He needs to do more for that extension

he does need to do more, although even if he does regress a bit but overall is still pretty darn good, the organization may not want to lose him to free agency for nothing (and they can't afford a Zucc + 2 first rounders at the deadline for MSL this season). It's a bit of a dance.

 

[Wolfy*]

Despite the rhetoric around here because Zuccarello is a fan favorite, I refuse to believe the 1 year deal was simply the result of a cap crunch.

If the Rangers really wanted to give him a long extension, they would have found a way to make it work. Implying that the extension is just a formality suggests the Rangers believe hes done enough already to deserve it. I dont think thats the case from the Rangers perspective.

It was the cap issue, nothing else. Zucc was one of the best in Russia, one of the best in the Swedish league, Rangers lead scorer last season. I think he's proved enough, and will get a nice extension before free agency.

They could sign him five years at 3.5 per, cap hit would be the same. But what a dumb deal that would be for Zucc, in a couple of years you can probably almost double his value.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

It was the cap issue, nothing else. Zucc was one of the best in Russia, one of the best in the Swedish league, Rangers lead scorer last season. I think he's proved enough, and will get a nice extension before free agency.

They could sign him five years at 3.5 per, cap hit would be the same. But what a dumb deal that would be for Zucc, in a couple of years you can probably almost double his value.

Your post has been conceived in an alternate reality.

You dont get 4-5 year NHL deals because of what you did in Europe. He had one good NHL season. 1. He'll need to do it again to get a long-term deal. Thats the issue. Not the cap.

 

[Fletch]

Your post has been conceived in an alternate reality.

You dont get 4-5 year NHL deals because of what you did in Europe. He had one good NHL season. 1. He'll need to do it again to get a long-term deal. Thats the issue. Not the cap.

I thought it was a cap issue, and believe it may have something to do with it, but you right. It's tough committing long-term to a guy with one full NHL season after a KHL/NHL season and prior to that was up and down between NY and HFD for two seasons. What I will say, however, is that you can see differences in his development. He doesn't look like a guy who will be at 30 points in 80 games next season. But you're right - $4MM+ over 4/5 years for that would be tough.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I thought it was a cap issue, and believe it may have something to do with it, but you right. It's tough committing long-term to a guy with one full NHL season after a KHL/NHL season and prior to that was up and down between NY and HFD for two seasons. What I will say, however, is that you can see differences in his development. He doesn't look like a guy who will be at 30 points in 80 games next season. But you're right - $4MM+ over 4/5 years for that would be tough.

I agree. Im not in love with his game, but he is offensively creative and tenacious which are things that this team can use. I think he might be able to be a consistent 55-60 point scorer in this league -- but I, like the Rangers, wouldn't give him a 4-5 year deal right now thinking thats a foregone conclusion.

If he signs an extension on January 1, Ill eat my words and submit to this being a cap issue. But something tells me we'll be sitting here 11 months from now lamenting about his contract status.

 

[Fletch]

I agree. Im not in love with his game, but he is offensively creative and tenacious which are things that this team can use. I think he might be able to be a consistent 55-60 point scorer in this league -- but I, like the Rangers, wouldn't give him a 4-5 year deal right now thinking thats a foregone conclusion.

If he signs an extension on January 1, Ill eat my words and submit to this being a cap issue. But something tells me we'll be sitting here 11 months from now lamenting about his contract status.

I'd think he signs a new deal sometime after Jan 1, be it January 10, February 15, whenever, for which you won't have to eat your words. If he doesn't sign, then either he's getting traded at the deadline or potentially lost in free agency, or costing even more if he's signed right before free agency; so it's something that may likely happen but it gives the Rangers a longer look to prove his worth (while preserving cap space). Unlike other players, they are not getting a great and long look prior to becoming UFA, but a decision would have to be made at some point.

 

[RangerBoy]

Sather did say Zuccarello has only done it for one year. They are making him play for his supper. The Rangers have so many contacts to work through next summer. The Rangers always seem to have half the team unsigned. The Rangers tried to sign Zuccarello to a longer term but they couldn't make it work. He wants big dollars. $4.5 million to $5 million. Term. Zuccarello is taking a chance signing a one year deal. An injury could ruin his bargaining position. The Rangers don't like to rush into signing new contracts.

 

[SKS]

Your post has been conceived in an alternate reality.

You dont get 4-5 year NHL deals because of what you did in Europe. He had one good NHL season. 1. He'll need to do it again to get a long-term deal. Thats the issue. Not the cap.

I mean no disrespect by this, because you are a fan who truly bleeds ranger blue.

However, on the issue of Zuccarello I feel as though you see a different player than many others.
I remember being utterly frustrated when reading your posts prior to last season, because I saw something from this guy that I believed was almost a guarantee to transpire into great things for this team barring injury.
It took a bit of time understanding that it wasnt necessarily an old-school (or rather ancient) approach to smaller players from your side but just a different set of eyes.

I believe he will eventually win all of us over and do great things for our team!

As for 1 good season (See, I couldnt help myself on the arguing )
If you combine his first two seasons into one "rookie campaign" he was a .5ppg player on 3rd and 4th line duty with limited PP and ice-time.
He was #1 in corsi/fenwick by a mile (actually #5 in entire NHL).
He led AHL in scoring when he was sent down by quite a stretch.
He was our #2 in playoff points after Brass.
And he needed to work on his defensive play - something he showed he was able to do in offseason.

That combined is a pretty darn good rookie campaign in my eyes.

His sophomore year was amazing.

He is 2 years older than Kreids, but imagine if Kreids posted these numbers. And then board play is included in that comparison... And I love Kreider

 

[Idlerlee]

Forgive my ignorance.. but Zucc frequently logged top minutes amongst rangers forwards during the season.

Whats this argument about him going up against soft competition ? I dont quite "get" that. What sort of pairings did he face when he was lined up with Kreider and Stepan ? Traffic cones ?

Persoally I wish the contract had been 3.5 x 4y instead of 1. But its really funny to me that anyone would argue a "what if" he turns into a baddie, when all trajectories point upwards.

Then again, if his value goes up in January RB might have his wish to have him off the team so we can replace him with a taller, more heavyset gentleman for less dollars

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

It was a risk on a longer term deal, but IMO one they should have taken.. The Rangers seem to like going into the next off season with half of the roster to sign lately.

 

[Jersey Girl]

Sather did say Zuccarello has only done it for one year. They are making him play for his supper. .

Sather made Stralman sing for his supper too - and now he's having a feast.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Sather made Stralman sing for his supper too - and now he's having a feast.

^ This.. unless Zucc REALLY WANTS TO BE A RANGER ONLY.. another 60 point season and his price just ****ing skyrocketed.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I mean no disrespect by this, because you are a fan who truly bleeds ranger blue.

However, on the issue of Zuccarello I feel as though you see a different player than many others.
I remember being utterly frustrated when reading your posts prior to last season, because I saw something from this guy that I believed was almost a guarantee to transpire into great things for this team barring injury.
It took a bit of time understanding that it wasnt necessarily an old-school (or rather ancient) approach to smaller players from your side but just a different set of eyes.

I believe he will eventually win all of us over and do great things for our team!

As for 1 good season (See, I couldnt help myself on the arguing )
If you combine his first two seasons into one "rookie campaign" he was a .5ppg player on 3rd and 4th line duty with limited PP and ice-time.
He was #1 in corsi/fenwick by a mile (actually #5 in entire NHL).
He led AHL in scoring when he was sent down by quite a stretch.
He was our #2 in playoff points after Brass.
And he needed to work on his defensive play - something he showed he was able to do in offseason.

That combined is a pretty darn good rookie campaign in my eyes.

His sophomore year was amazing.

He is 2 years older than Kreids, but imagine if Kreids posted these numbers. And then board play is included in that comparison... And I love Kreider

Ive evolved to the point where I can admit Zuccarello is a good offensive player.

That said, none of this info you provided would make me want to sign him to a 4-5 year deal right now.

 

[Raspewtin]

You really can't just sweep the fact that this is his only good truly great season under the rug.

Add it to the fact that he's already 26, not a young guy.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

You really can't just sweep the fact that this is his only good truly great season under the rug.

Add it to the fact that he's already 26, not a young guy.

I'm not denying that it was only one good season, what I'm saying is he's just another to add to the list of people we will have to sign, replace or give a raise to next season, once again, it looks like at least 6 players, and a crop much better than this one. If he has another very good season, his price goes up another 2M than we could have gotten him for just now.

 

[Cake or Death]

^ This.. unless Zucc REALLY WANTS TO BE A RANGER ONLY.. another 60 point season and his price just ****ing skyrocketed.

Oh, he'll get his points this season, he's way too talented and hard working not to. And he'll be looking at a real nice contract next season, here or elsewhere.

 

[Idlerlee]

You really can't just sweep the fact that this is his only good truly great season under the rug.

Add it to the fact that he's already 26, not a young guy.

So he's not worth taking a chance on ? Since when is 26 years considered old in a sport where you can still be a top contributor at the age of 40

 

[Wolfy*]

Your post has been conceived in an alternate reality.

You dont get 4-5 year NHL deals because of what you did in Europe. He had one good NHL season. 1. He'll need to do it again to get a long-term deal. Thats the issue. Not the cap.

Lets just agree to disagree.

 

[Off Sides]

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

Just my take and speculation, not completely sure it's accurate as there is not a whole lot of information.

I believe the 5% did not get approved,(can not find any confirmation) but the PA did include half of the new TV money to get to 69M.

As far as speculating about next season's cap and beyond, it's really difficult to say.

They may use the 5% escalator, mostly it's believed they choose not to this year because of escrow. This was the final year compliance buyouts are to be used and those come out of the players portion of revenue. So already there would be less of an escrow issue going forward.

Why they may not use it, same thing, escrow. The players on current contracts would be in a way partially financing those who need new deals by using the 5% escalator through escrow if there is an imbalance of the 50/50 split at years end.

That being said, the Canadian dollar going down would be the bigger issue. The new TV deal and some of the largest revenue generators in the league are based in Canadian dollars.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Lets just agree to disagree.

I really cant if you think the sole reason the Rangers didn't hand Zuccarello a 4-5 year deal was the salary cap.

 

[Fletch]

I mean no disrespect by this, because you are a fan who truly bleeds ranger blue.

However, on the issue of Zuccarello I feel as though you see a different player than many others.
I remember being utterly frustrated when reading your posts prior to last season, because I saw something from this guy that I believed was almost a guarantee to transpire into great things for this team barring injury.
It took a bit of time understanding that it wasnt necessarily an old-school (or rather ancient) approach to smaller players from your side but just a different set of eyes.

I believe he will eventually win all of us over and do great things for our team!

As for 1 good season (See, I couldnt help myself on the arguing )
If you combine his first two seasons into one "rookie campaign" he was a .5ppg player on 3rd and 4th line duty with limited PP and ice-time.
He was #1 in corsi/fenwick by a mile (actually #5 in entire NHL).
He led AHL in scoring when he was sent down by quite a stretch.
He was our #2 in playoff points after Brass.
And he needed to work on his defensive play - something he showed he was able to do in offseason.

That combined is a pretty darn good rookie campaign in my eyes.

His sophomore year was amazing.

He is 2 years older than Kreids, but imagine if Kreids posted these numbers. And then board play is included in that comparison... And I love Kreider

he is actually four years older than Kreider, with whom he tied for points in the playoffs. The guy is probably going to get better and at worst is a solid player, but reality is he's going to be 27 and has played one full season in the NHL. It was a darn good season and a darn good postseason, but it is one season. Correlations and stats and signs of improvement each year are there, no doubt, but it has been one full NHL season. I think that is the point.

 

[Wolfy*]

I really cant if you think the sole reason the Rangers didn't hand Zuccarello a 4-5 year deal was the salary cap.

Slats took a risk, it's really gonna cost him if Zucc comes up with 70-80 points next season.

He would've signed Zucc for 3 years at 4.5 if he could, very low risk. But it's a million more on the cap this year, doesn't add up.