Zuccarello: It's Rangers or No One
Former Ranger Mats Zuccarello has recently told a Norwegian website that if he's going to return to the NHL it's either the Rangers or no one.
The Rangers still own the rights to Zuccarello, who is currently playing in the KHL.
...i'm not sure if something's lost in the translation, but not sure why he'd want to return to a team that barely gave him a chance.
...if Wade Redden can find a team to sign him, I'm sure Zuccarello would as well.
Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Would say Kevin had it right with the lost in the translation. The Rangers by making Zucs a qualifying offer kept his rights as a RFA. Unless both coach and GM leave doubt Zucs will even consider a NYR return
1 Like
The timing has actually never been better for Zuccs to make his mark as a Ranger. The last two seasons the roster was just loaded up with depth. That's not the case anymore, as the team has precisely zero reserve forwards now, and injuries are inevitable. Do the math. In the last year the Rangers have let go Feds, Avery, Mitchell, Dubie, Anisimov, EC (thank god), Prust and Zuccs - eight total forwards. Replaced only by five - Nash, Pyatt, Halpern and Asham and Kreider. Another factor to consider is that Jeff Helpern's is on his last legs of a fine career, and it all points to the Rangers needing to sign SOMEONE. My first choice would be Dominic Moore, but Zuccs would be a good option too.
Love Zucc too. Met him last year. Really nice kid. Maybe the translation isn't correct. Who knows? If things don't start gelling, we've seen Torts do weirder callups.
He would make a very interesting playmaker on the third line with Kreider / Haglin! He was finally starting to show real promise when he was injured and he knows how to score!
@JMK8363 While that's an interesting line, you need someone to play center, which none of those three guys could do. Would that be a fast line? Sure. But who knows what you'll really get. Kreider (when he isn't getting crushed by Orpik) hasn't exactly been the playoff version we've seen of him so far, and Hags just looks awful. He seems to be trying a bit to hard to pass it to no one but the other team.
Maybe the Rangers are his favorite team? If I was an athlete I wouldn't want to play for any team oter than my favorite. If I got drafted by a rival I'd cry. Haha
2 Like
I always liked Zucs and felt that, over time, he could have been our St. Louis, but I'm not sure he would have been able to do that in Tortorella's system. That being said, I still think he would be a positive on this team.
2 Like
Hmmm, interesting. We didn't give him a chance when we seemed to have a bit of a logjam at forward. After the Nash trade, I don't think anyone would argue that we've got at least one top-nine spot up for grabs at all times. If he can refine his defensive side of his game, he could be a real asset for NYR.
