New York Rangers: Would you rather trade Zuccarello or McDonagh?
The New York Rangers are about to have a fire sale. As the team aims to reset their roster, mainstays from past years will likely be moved. Two names surfacing in trade rumors are Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello. Our Blue Line Station staff gathered to talk about which one they’d prefer to trade.
It’s a crazy time to be alive in Rangerstown. For the first time since 2003-2004, the New York Rangers are gearing up to be sellers at the trade deadline. General Manager Jeff Gorton and Team President Glen Sather confirmed this in a letter to Rangers fans that was released yesterday.
The team is going to trade upcoming unrestricted free agents like Rick Nash, Michael Grabner, Nick Holden and David Desharnais. There are a few players who will be under contract next season that the team is getting calls for. Two of the most prominent ones are Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello.
Both players have been key pieces in the Rangers’ success this decade and it will be difficult to see them go. The fact of the matter is, it is time for a rebuild and the Rangers should see what they could get for each of them.
Earlier this week, I asked members of our Blue Line Station team if they’d rather the team trade their captain or their feisty Norwegian. Here is what they had to say.
John Williams- Ryan McDonagh
McDonagh has been a great defenseman in New York for a long time now but it is about time for his run on Broadway to end.
The fact of the matter is that McDonagh will be turning 30 when he’s a free agent. It is never a great move to commit four or five years and $6 or $7 million a season to a player 30 years old or older. While he is under contract, the Rangers should look to get as many quality assets as they can for him.
It is best to trade him now because the team that acquires him would be just about guaranteed two playoff runs with him.
Zuccarello wouldn’t bring in assets nearly as rich as McDonagh would and his free agent market value wouldn’t be enough to cap strap the team. On a team that is rebuilding, they are gonna need some veterans on the roster and Zuccarello seems to be the perfect guy to mentor younger players, especially international players, when they first come into the league.
It would be tough to see either of the two mainstays leave, but at the end of the day, the one that is going to give the richest assets is the one you move. That, to me, is McDonagh.
Nick Zararis- Ryan McDonagh
The New York Rangers have reached a pivotal crossroad as an organization.
The front office team has established that they are going to start gearing up for the long term. This, of course, means parting with beloved players like the captain Ryan McDonagh.
The Wisconsin product’s time with New York has been nothing but exemplary. The trade of Scott Gomez for McDonagh ranks amongst the best in Rangers’ history. The team got an eventual number one defenseman and captain for a veteran on a bad contract.
It is not easy to say that it is time to move on from him, but between him and Mats Zuccarello, there is only one option. When push comes to shove, the NHL is a salary cap sport and McDonagh will command more money on the open market. Using Kevin Shattenkirk’s contract from last summer as a model, the current Rangers captain will rightfully ask for north of $6 million per season and at least four years. This is simply too much money and too long of a term for a player as dinged up as McDonagh is at his age.
Dan Carrozzi- Ryan McDonagh
Between the two, I think the New York Rangers should trade Ryan McDonagh instead of Mats Zuccarello.
First, I believe that McDonagh would bring more assets back in a trade than Zuccarello, either at the trade deadline or the draft. In addition to what he provides on the ice, his steal of a contract is likely very appetizing for teams looking to load up at the deadline.
Another reason I would trade McDonagh before Zuccarello is his play this year. As was suspected and now confirmed, the Rangers’ captain has been playing through injury this season (which will also reduce his trade value). He has looked a step or two too slow this season and more concerning, often exhibited poor decision-making that is very uncharacteristic of him.
This makes me hesitant to keep him and then re-sign him when his contract expires. He is going to be paid very handsomely after this current contract. If this is truly who McDonagh is as a player now, I would not want the Rangers to offer him the type of contract he will be looking for.
McDonagh has relied on his skating ability in his career. These physical tools only deteriorate with age and for a player like McDonagh, that loss of a step or two will reduce him to being, at most, a second pairing defenseman.
Regarding Zuccarello, he leads the team in points as he has for three of the past four seasons. Although not a slouch in the skating department, the Norwegian winger relies more on his vision, distribution ability and underrated shot to be effective. Zuccarello will also be needed to fill the leadership void if McDonagh (as well as Rick Nash) is traded.
Alexandra Russo- Ryan McDonagh
To lay it flat out- I would rather the New York Rangers trade Ryan McDonagh than Mats Zuccarello.
While this is one of the most difficult decisions the organization will have to make (or for all we know, have already made), it is necessary in order to bring in young talent. That’s what makes great teams- fast, young players.
The core of this team from 2014 has long been tampered with. However, certain key players like these are especially hard to say goodbye to. McDonagh has done tremendous things for this team. He has been their defensive structure some nights. However, his pairing with sub-par partners has stunted his growth.
Zuccarello, on the other hand, is right in the middle of some of his best hockey coming back from an injury. In a game against the Predators, he recorded his 300th NHL point. He continues to shine and produce. And to top it off, he took less money a few seasons ago to stay with the Rangers.
And while it may not seem like a deciding factor, his loyalty should not be forgotten. McDonagh over Zuccarello is not an easy decision. But if it’s one that has to be made, McDonagh should be the one to go.
Sam Prevot-Ryan McDonagh
I would rather the Rangers trade Ryan McDonagh.
While trading your captain is a drastic move and is emotional for players and fans alike, sometimes it is the necessary move to make. The asking price for him could, and should, be high. But what the Rangers get in return for him will help in the rebuilding process.
McDonagh has one more year left on his contract. He is also 28 years old. As a team with an average age of 28, the Rangers should aim to get younger. A trade for McDonagh could secure the Rangers a first-round draft pick and a young, top-tier prospect that is already in the league.
They might not get a Nylander or a Marner like some fans are demanding on Twitter, but they could get some quality pieces. There is also some reported interest in McDonagh already.
With Mats Zuccarello, threats of returning to Norway are looming over any potential deals. In addition, McDonagh missed a few games due to an injury and has not been the same since his return. In his absence, other defensemen like Brady Skjei stepped up to the challenge of filling his role. Skjei did a good job of it, too.
Overall, trading the Rangers captain may sting at first, but it could really pay off in the end.
Jen Moglia- Ryan McDonagh
For me, this is a very easy decision. It has almost nothing to do with Ryan McDonagh, and everything to do with Mats Zuccarello.
McDonagh has served his purpose as a New York Ranger. He’s also done a good job, as far as we know, as captain of the New York Rangers. But, it’s starting to look like Mats Zuccarello has more upside than Ryan McDonagh.
First, Zuccarello is a forward. The argument can be made that the defense needs more work than the offense, but with Kevin Shattenkirk on the road to recovery, Neal Pionk being called up, and Brendan Smith on waivers, that problem could quite possibly take care of itself.
A huge problem for the Rangers lately has been scoring goals, and, obviously, winning more games. Scores like 4-0 and 6-1 are always hard for fans to see on game recaps the next morning. Zuccarello can help with that.
He has 38 points so far this season (eight goals and 30 assists) and contributes offensively in almost every game.
Lost in the 6-1 defeat against Boston a few games ago was his 300th career NHL point. McDonagh, though he plays a different position, has 12 fewer points. Additionally, Zuccarello leads the team in points and assists.
Finally, Ryan McDonagh has significantly more league recognition than Mats Zuccarello does. McDonagh is a two-time all-star, and the captain of his team, while Zuccarello is more of a fan favorite.
League-wide recognition could mean a bigger, more helpful return for the Rangers. So, if the New York Rangers decide to trade one of their core players, they will probably benefit more from swapping Ryan McDonagh rather than Mats Zuccarello.
George Ruggiero- Ryan McDonagh
I would rather the Rangers move Ryan McDonagh.
The Rangers’ captain has simply not performed up to his usual standard this season. At the same time, he has the pedigree and experience performing in high-pressure situations. That experience and his reputation in NHL circles, along with his nice contract, lead to his high value as a trade deadline acquisition.
McDonagh is signed for the rest of this season and all of next season. His $4.7 million cap hit is relatively low for a player of his quality. He could bring in the best package of any of the Rangers on the chopping block at the moment. The asking price for a player of McDonagh’s quality with his current deal could be as much as a top prospect, a young NHL’er, and a first-round draft choice.
Next: 8 steps NYR must take to fix their franchise
As much as I value his leadership and quality play for this club, the return he could bring is something that simply cannot be passed up on, especially with the Rangers’ brass admitting that this is a lost season on Thursday afternoon.