NHL Trade Deadline: 5 deals the New York Rangers should make

2. Trade Mats Zuccarello to Carolina

Mats Zuccarello is another interesting case at this year’s deadline and it all depends on finding a team desperate enough for a solid right-winger they’ll pay a price to get him. Zuccarello’s contract is not expiring this season, so the Rangers do have the advantage of being able to hold onto him should they decide to not trade him at the deadline.

Zuccarello is a fan favorite in New York, and a trade like this would be a tough pill to swallow for Rangers fans. The odds of Zuccarello being traded seem to increase as time goes by, now landing at 10th on TSN’s Trade Bait Board. In 60 games this season, Zuccarello has accumulated 10 goals and 33 assists for 43 points, the most of any player on the trade bait board. It’s quite an impressive total considering the constant injuries to his linemates and scoring slumps of his own throughout the season.

Carolina could be a great candidate that land Zuccarello at the deadline. On paper, the Hurricanes are lacking on the right side and Zuccarello could fill the opening with his scoring ability for years to come. Carolina has put emphasis on competing with their roster, and even if they can’t make it into the playoffs this year, Zuccarello is a great building block for competing next season.

However, Zuccarello brings much more than just offensive production to a team. Zuccarello is a tremendous locker room presence and noted leader on the ice. On a team that is still young and growing, Zuccarello’s leadership along with offseason acquisition Justin Williams would be an invaluable asset to Carolina’s player development, and that would be without mentioning how much of a hit he is with fans. The new ownership in Carolina is desperate to attract more fans to their games, and trading for a fan pleaser like Zuccarello will be following the new mold they are trying to build in Raleigh.