Rangers Looking to Move Zuccarello?
A Swedish website is reporting that because of the Rangers glut of fowards Glen Sather is looking to move Mats Zuccarello.It also mentions that Eric Christensen and Wojtek Wolski could be moved as well.
...you always have to take these reports from overseas with a grain of salt, but it wouldn't surprise me if the Rangers are testing the water. Zuccarello had his moments last season, but I don't think he'll ever be able to dominate the way he did in the Swedish Elite League.
...h/t to Puck Central.
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Some of you guys make stellar points. 23 points in 42 games as a rookie in his first season of playing a North American style game. Completely invisible. I think we should trade him, Kreider and Hagelin for some stopgaps... grow a brain, you're acting like the Islanders front office right now, trying to sign Yashin.
There is no reason to trade anyone before the end of training camp EXCEPT EC and Avery (though I am a huge Avery fan). MZA has tremendous upside and is young. He is the type of players you want in camp so that you have really good competition to make the team. I think a young forward/young defenseman trade this year is possible considering the depth of the organization but you would have to bring in a top six forward or get some high draft picks to make up for that sacrifice. Just don't see Sather making any moves until after camp is over.
There is one more year on the deal. No problem if it doesn't work out. Give the kid a chance. Wolski and EC had way more chances than this kid. MZA playing on a line with Gabby or Richards could be good or even move to RW could be benificial.
Trading him would be silly. You've gotta give the kid another year to see what's there and where he's at. He has some serious skills and isn't afraid to get his nose dirty. I doubt he'll be traded before the surface has barely been scratched.
I'd imagine that if anyone gets moved before the season it would be Christensen. At this point it isn't reasonable to expect anything more than what he's shown in two years with the team. He does have some talent and would fit well on a team that's raw and needs some kind of proven depth/ability up front (kind of how the Rangers were the last couple of years).
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I'm pretty sure he has a two way contract, so if he doesn't make the team straight away he can go to Hartford and does not need re-entry waivers to come back. I think his potential upside is worth waiting another 1/2 season. We may be able to get a pick or have him be part of a package trade mid way through.
We only need about $1M more cap room, so why would we trade MZA when we can just dump EC? Unless we're going to get a 1st round pick for him or something. Also, does anyone know if MZA would have to clear re-entry waivers?
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It's probably not a good strategy to keep players on a roster simply because they're good in a shootout...especially when you have a goalie like Henrik. MZA and EC, especially EC were wildly inconsistent. Good Bye.
Thanks for the link Kevin. I think it's just pure speculation honestly based on the fact that there are so many forwards and right now he and EC are likely the odd men out of the top 12.
he may not be able to dominate like in the SEL, but you would not get equal value back for him. keep in mind his ability in the shootout and we see every year how important those extra points are.
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@cjbnyr Exactly. I don't think they expect him to "dominate" but they do expect him to be a serious threat. Aside from Gaborik, Lundqvist, Wolksi and maybe two others MZA has _serious_ talent (natural ability). Let's see what he brings to the table this season.
@_Jack @KevinDeLury the lady who used to have the season tix right next to us got his game-worn heritage jersey.
