New York Rangers: Five possible trade destinations for Mats Zuccarello
The future of Mats Zuccarello’s career with the Rangers is very much up in the air. What other teams could use him if he doesn’t return to New York?
Mats Zuccarello has been a crowd favorite in New York since he became a regular in the lineup during the 2013-2014 season. Since then, he has done nothing but produce for the Rangers. Zuccarello has lead the team in scoring in four different seasons. He is one of only seven Rangers to accomplish that feat.
Not only does Zuccarello produce for the Rangers on the score sheet, but he is also the emotional leader of the squad. Despite his lack of size, Zuccarello constantly is the spark plug that ignites the Rangers during big games. If New York were to lose him via a trade this summer, it would certainly leave a hole in the lineup.
However, the rebuild is still very much in effect for New York. If the price is right, Zuccarello may not be a Ranger much longer. Here are five teams who could make a run at the Rangers winger.
Florida Panthers
How do you replace Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessauelt? Well, based on the way they are playing this season, you can’t. However the Panthers could upgrade their depth by bringing in a player like Zuccarello.
After Vegas fleeced the Panthers in the Expansion Draft, fans were up in arms about the loss of the two players. Florida still has a lot of top end talent, but adding Zuccarello could give them an even bigger edge against a top heavy Atlantic Division. Florida has already seen success with former Ranger Keith Yandle. If they add Zuccarello too, they have another play maker from New York, this time in the forward group.
What Zuccarello also adds to the the team is an element of toughness and grit. Florida doesn’t necessarily have a gritty player who is also skilled. I think that the Panthers are a very good fit for Zucc and it would also be an easier move then some of the other places he could end up.
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a team looking to change their identity. They are big, old and slow and are looking to add more skill to their lineup. Zuccarello could instantly help them with their scoring issues if he donned the black and silver.
Right now the Kings offense looks something like this: Anze Kopitar. Outside of the Hart candidate, the Kings have no one who they can consistently rely on to carry the offense. Dustin Brown had a renaissance season, but that was only because Kopitar had a career year as well. Tyler Tofoli can score 20 goals, but he doesn’t bring much else to the table offensively and he is very hot and cold.
The Kings found themselves eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights this season due to the fact that they couldn’t put the puck in the back of the net. In the four game sweep, the Kings managed three goals. During the season LA was once again among the bottom third of the league in scoring.
With Jonathan Quick still in goal for a few seasons, LA needs to find an offense that can aid their stout defense. Enter Zuccarello and part of that problem would be fixed for the Kings.
Edmonton Oilers
Zuccarello and Connor McDavid? It might be a good fit.
Edmonton needs help. After a whirlwind season a year ago that saw them make a run to the second round of the playoffs, the Oilers stumbled out of the gates this past season. Then they went into free-fall mode and crashed somewhere in mid-December. What they realized this season is that Connor McDavid can’t do it all himself.
The captain was undeniably the best player for the Oilers. The problem was, no one around him offered much in the way of competition. Even Leon Draisatil didn’t produce the way he was expected to. Edmonton was all top line this year and more importantly, all McDavid.
Zuccarello would be a tremendous second line player for an Edmonton team ooking for scoring depth this offseason. His cap hit wouldn’t be too bad and the Oilers need to be economical with nearly $20 million locked up between McDavid and Draisatil.
The thing about Zuccarello is that you know exactly what you will get with him. That is a big key for the Oilers who have a lot of uncertainty outside the top line. Zuccarello would get them 45-60 points and always be a strong contributor to the offense. It would be a solid, safe pickup for the Oilers.
Vegas Golden Knights
Could the rich keep getting richer? What if Las Vegas decided to swoop in and grab Zuccarello?
The Golden Knights have been the best story in hockey this season. Winning the Pacific Division in their first season and making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals is simply amazing. So why not go out and make a big move before year two?
Zuccarello would fit right in with the system being run in Vegas. The Knights are known for their quick transitions in the neutral zone and their ability to capitalize off their opponent’s mistakes. Zuccarello works very well in tight quarters and his ability to work off the rush would make him a dangerous asset for Vegas.
The Golden Knights are also a team built around depth. They finally have a first line cemented, but outside of that their isn’t necessarily a distinct second, third and fourth line. That means Zuccarello could slot in almost anywhere and make a considerable impact for Las Vegas in their second season in the league.
Detroit Red Wings
The final potential landing spot that I think would be interesting for Zuccarello is Hockey Town, USA. The Red Wings simply don’t miss the playoffs, except for these past two seasons.
It’s understandable. This past season, the team injected a ton of youth into their lineup. They were also maligned by injuries. Both of these factors cost them a birth in the postseason. However, the future still looks to be bright in Detroit.
The wings let their winger Tomas Tatar go at the trade deadline, shipping him off to the Vegas Golden Knights. With Tatar gone, that leaves a hole in the offense for the Red Wings. They could try to let a younger player fill that void, or they could grab Zuccarello. With a young team like they have now, Zuccarello would be able to give them scoring and also provide leadership as well.
Next: Should the Rangers bring Rick Nash back?
The Red Wings were inconsistent in just about every aspect of the game this past season, so bringing in a consistent presence on the offensive side of the ball would bring peace of mind to the fans and the coaching staff in Detroit.