Fansided

What are the New York Rangers going to do at the NHL Trade Deadline?

By Griffin Youngs

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2019 in New York City. The New York Islanders won 4-3. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2019 in New York City. The New York Islanders won 4-3. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 18: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden on December 18, 2018 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 3-1. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 18: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden on December 18, 2018 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 3-1. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Mats Zuccarello

Part of a rebuild is letting go of the players you come to love over the years, and that will have to be the case with Rangers fans and Mats Zuccarello. The 31 year old fan favorite seems all but out the door as the trade deadline approaches, and there would be no shortage of teams that would a pay a premium for a two way forward of his caliber.

Zuccarello is having an average season so far, 24 points in 35 games, missed a couple games with a groin injury in December, nothing remarkable but also nothing concerning. At his peak with the Rangers, Zuccarello would be a consistent 60 point scorer and is still trending in that area so far this season despite the team around him getting weaker. Alongside his scoring, his leadership skills have been noted throughout his career from the entire Rangers organization and fans alike

Top six wingers are always in demand on every trade deadline, and as one of the best rental wingers on the trade market, Zuccarello could demand a premium price for a team desperate for depth. I would imagine a deal for Zuccarello looking something like the Rick Nash trade from last deadline, maybe a little less complicated. A first round pick would likely have to be the start of the deal, and a decent prospect would probably get the job done, especially if an extension is involved.

You’d be hard pressed to find a team currently in the playoff race that wouldn’t even at least consider adding to their wing depth with a player like Zuccarello. Anybody and everybody in and around a playoff spot should be at least considering Zuccarello with how much he brings to the table beyond just scoring ability, and the one who gets the jump on him will be all the better for it.

Home/New York Rangers