Zuccarello's KHL Season Ends
According to multiple sources, Mats Zuccarello's KHL team Metallurg was eliminated from the playoffs today, meaning he is available for the Rangers to sign.
It has been reported that Glen Sather is interested in bringing back Zuccarello who is still Rangers property and would not have to clear waivers before signing with the team.
Zuccarello's agents were in New York last week but did not meet with the Rangers.
...with Richards obviously still ailing from the Kaleta hit, you have to wonder if the Rangers interest in Zuccarello has piqued even more. Just one look at the Rangers line-up without Richards has even the most optimistic Rangers fan concerned.
...have to assume the Zucarello rumors will be flying around for the immediate future.
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Zuccarellos agents confirm that there has been contact with Rangers GM. " We will wait to hear from him "
@KevinDeLuryhttp://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/rangers_4_flyers_2_no_update_on_staal_talks_to_bring_zuccarello_back_have_begun/ Also reported by norwegian newspapers!
Uhmmmmm. Did anyone take notice of the puck movement during the miraculoulsy changed power play after Richie went down (2 quick goals)"? And how ineffective it became after he got back on the ice? Coincidence? I think not! Mind you I am not blaming Richie. He is a great player with excellent vision and passing abilities. But the Rangers became more creative and charged up following the Kaleta hit. It's time to stop making excuses as to what player is or is not on the ice for the power play. Rather the team and coaching staff as a whole have to be held accountable for generally uninspired play (Cali excepted) when all that skill exists on this team. Just put the puck in the damn net!
I agree with Anthony. Zuccarello did nothing with the Rangers when he was with us. Unless we can sign him RIDICULOUSLY cheap, no way!
@TheNYRBlog Zuc (RFA) actually wouldn't have to pass through waivers to join the Rangers. Bob McKenzie tweeted that not too long ago.
Having a game (or a few) without Richards actually makes me happy. I obviously hate that's it's under these circumstances and he has played better the past two games, but as we all know, he hasn't brought much to the table this year. Hopefully this is nothing serious and he'll only sit for a game or two and if so I think it would be beneficial for him to just sit back and observe. Maybe that will finally cure him of his uncertainty with the puck, turnovers at the point & blind centering passes to the other team...
"I'm told Brad Richards is very stiff and sore and most definitely won't play tonight." Tweet from Darren Dreger.
@Bob Sugar More PP points than anyone else on the team if you look at the games he played over the last 2 years. I know, hard to belive but true.
I truly believe Richards is not in tonight because this is going to be an overly physical game. You dont want guys targeting him or making it worse if he is not near 100%. I could see him coming back this weekend very easily.
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I've always wondered. Instead of having a fourth line with a goon or two, why not have a fourth line that be "speciality" players, like Zuc. Here's a guy who can really help you on the power play, but is apparently too small to be effective on a regular shift. You put him on the fourth line instead of Bickel. He plays the power play and the occasional shift, and in the event that the team needs more offense or Torts thinks one of his top six is having a horrendous night (or there's an injury), you sub him in on one of the top two lines. Would seem more valuable than having a goon that can't skate play 4 minutes a night, but the league is stuck in the neanderthal-vigilante justice system. Brings down the quality of play.
@rangersfan In most games, especially one like tonight, you need a guy like Bickel or Asham who will mix it up with the other team. Probably worth having two tonight. Otherwise the opponent can do whatever they want to your top line guys. Having a guy who's willing to fight gives them something to think about, even if that guy doesn't play a lot of minutes. The Rangers other two 4th liners are currently very important specialty players, and in a pinch both can play up a line if there's an in-game injury. Zucc's skill is nice to have, but he doesn't fit into a healthy Rangers lineup. If Richards ends up being out long-term, maybe it's worth it, but I don't think he'll miss more than a game or two.
@jtf1218 See, I would agree with you, if the guy taking liberties with our top-line guys is the SAME guy who ends up fighting Bickel. But it rarely works that way. It becomes their goon vs. our goon in a cartoonish "why-I-outta" stand-off worthy of 6-year olds.
@KevinDeLury @chrisD @slapshot13j Uh, there's this defenseman that they keep dressing at forward. His last name starts with a 'B'.
@TheNYRBlog would be a great move. Considering that there aren't many moves to make, and he looked good before breaking wrist last year.
@TheNYRBlog No concern here. Someone will step up in his absence. If it was Cally or Nash again then yea, concerned to the fullest.
@DruBreezay That line-up looked a little weak up the middle. Might look better with Miller centering 2nd line rather than Boyle.
@TheNYRBlog Let's get Zucc on the first flight back, and have him parachute into the Garden. The roof is retractable now, right? #nyr
Kevin, while I hope Richards gets back ASAP, he clearly has been struggling. Maybe some fresh blood for a game or two will spark this team a bit.
