Rangers targeting former fan favourite to help with offense
General manager Chris Drury has several tasks over the summer that he needs to complete which includes shoring up his top six on his right wing.
According to Empire Sports Media, the organization may be targeting Mats Zuccarello in a possible return.
The 36-year-old forward was undrafted when the New York Rangers brought him into the organization in 2010. His time with the team ended in 2019 as he was moved to the Dallas Stars for a Stanley Cup run. Throughout his time with the Rangers, he was a predominant point getter with his best year in 2015 where he played 81 games it had 26 goals with 61 points and was a + 2.
His veteran leadership and experience would certainly help the Rangers today as the management team continues to evaluate their forwards as they struggled in the season and in the playoffs to score five on five.
It became evident in the Eastern Conference final that the Rangers were struggling to get goals as the power plays dried up and the Florida Panthers continued to clamp down their defensive end.
Zuccarello has two years remaining on his contract which is worth $4.125 million per season. The Rangers have enough capital in terms of draft picks or prospects that they could offer the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Zuccarello. It's likely with his age, the Rangers would not have to forfeit too much in the way of the future to retain his services.
The only caveat would be his no move clause which would need to be discussed and he would have to agree to head back to New York City.
The summer has just begun, and the Rangers are expected to be aggressive in the offseason so it remains to be seen on what Drury will do but he will be busy.
| POLL | ||
Would you bring back Mats Zuccarello to the Rangers? | ||
| Yes | 173 | 64.8 % |
| No | 94 | 35.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
