The New York Rangers made a plethora of additions this offdsesaon, but they still have a need for another forward. At the start of the offseason, it appeared as though former winger Mats Zuccarello could be an option for them, as the Minnesota Wild allowed him to hit free agency. Yet, on July 1, Rangers fans' dreams of Zuccarello donning a No. 36 jersey for New York vanished, as he signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings. On paper it is more than a bargain, but it does include a variety of bonuses that can bring the contract total to $6.5 million.
On paper, you would think that Zuccarello would be a lock to make the Kings roster. Don't tell the veteran winger that, as he feels he still has to earn his spot on the roster.
"There's no guaranteed spot; you have to prove yourself," Zuccarello said, h/t NHL.com's Tracey Myers. "I know there's a good opportunity to prove myself, and that's the most important thing. I like 'Lavy's' vision on how to play and go about the business every day in practice and how to manage games. We had a really good talk. Even Kenny (Holland, general manager), too, on how the Kings want to play this year, which I really enjoy and am excited about.
"I think you have to earn your spot, which everyone has to do. I'm going to get a good opportunity to do that and hopefully I have a chance to earn my spot. No guarantee, so I have to come prepared. It's a team sport. We need 20 guys to pull the weight to be successful. I'm just happy to be a part of that and try to help out."
Mats Zuccarello is looking to earn spot on Kings team
Even with Zuccarello entering his age 39 season, he is still a productive winger This past season with the Wild, even with missed time, he put up 54 points (15 goals, 39 assists) in 59 games. In the playoffs, Zuccarello missed Games 2 through 4 of the Wild's first round series against the Dallas Stars, and the offense struggled. In eight games total between the first and second rounds, Zuccarello scored two goals and recorded seven assists.
Yet, even with this production on the stat sheets, the Wild decided to move on from Zuccarello. The Kings pounced at the opportunity, and signed him to a one-year deal. The Kings are giving Zuccarello a $5 million bonus as soon as he logs 10 games played this upcoming season. Zuccarello also earns $250,000 bonuses for making it out of the first and second rounds of the playoffs.
Zuccarello should factor into the Kings' top six forward group, given the production he's had during his time in Minnesota, which is 389 points through 452 games.
Mats Zuccarello joins various ex-Rangers in Los Angeles
The Kings, of course, have plenty of Rangers links.
Peter Laviolette, the Rangers' coach from 2023 until 2025, is the new bench boss for Los Angeles. After getting fired by the Rangers, Laviolette was a name on this year's coaching carousel. Laviolette did interview with the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason. However, it became quite evident that he was the favorite for the Kings' job. Now, he is on his fifth head coaching stint since winning the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
Former Rangers star Artemi Panarin was traded to the Kings earlier this year, and signed a two-year, $22 million contract extension with the team. Panarin was benched by the Rangers this season to try and find a trade for him, considering they didn't plan on re-signing him before he hit free agency. Upon joining the Kings, Panarin put up 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 26 regular season games. In the first round, Panarin scored two goals and recorded one assist in four games against the Colorado Avalanche. Before his first full season with the Kings, Panarin reunites with Laviolette, who coached him during his career-best 120-point season in the 2023-24 campaign.
Zuccarello is now the latest former Ranger to join the Kings, as they look to become Stanley Cup favorites in the Pacific Division.
Add us as a preferred source on Google