New York Rangers: Projecting Mats Zuccarello’s point total

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: New York Rangers Right Wing Mats Zuccarello (36) carries the puck in the first period during the game between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers on April 07, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: New York Rangers Right Wing Mats Zuccarello (36) carries the puck in the first period during the game between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers on April 07, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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SUNRISE, FL – MARCH 10: Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers defends the net against Jonathan Huberdeau #11 of the Florida Panthers in a shoot out at the BB&T Center on March 10, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL – MARCH 10: Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers defends the net against Jonathan Huberdeau #11 of the Florida Panthers in a shoot out at the BB&T Center on March 10, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

Jonathan Huberdeau

According to Hockey Reference, Jonathan Huberdeau is 88.8% similar to Mats Zuccarello. The 25-year-old was one of the reasons why the Florida Panthers had the success that they did last year.

He was fourth on the team in goals with 27, assists with 42, and shots with 204. The forward landed in third in points with 69 and game-winning goals with four.

The forward was second in power play goals with seven and power play points with 19. Finally, Huberdeau was fifth in shooting percentage with 13.2% and seventh in faceoff win percentage with 47.73%.

This season was truly his breakout year, playing in all 82 games for the first time and establishing career highs in goals (27), assists (42), points (69), power play goals (seven), power play points (19),  game-winning goals (four), shots (204), shooting percentage (13.2%) and  face off percentage (47.73%).

Huberdeau hasn’t ever gotten to play a full season in the NHL, being sidelined by injuries constantly. After this year, Panthers fans truly got to see his complete skill set, which will only get better as he gets older.

Though Huberdeau is about six years younger than Zuccarello, their point production and statistics are similar. The left-wing can help give fans of the New York Rangers hope that Zuccarello will continue to be just as talented even if the experience level of the team around him decreases since the Panthers weren’t exactly the hottest team in the league last season.