As deadline nears, Mats Zuccarello’s name heats up in trade talks

Anthony Scultore Updated: Feb 24, 2018

Say it ain’t so! We knew that almost everyone was available. We knew that Lundqvist was never going to be one of those names, but most of us hoped that Mats Zuccarello wouldn’t be mentioned either.

Boston Zucc?

Not sure if it’s been reported yet, so apologies if so, but continue to hear that in talks between #NYR and #NHLBruins, F Mats Zuccarello keeps coming up. Zuccarello is available but not sure how interested B’s are.

— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) February 24, 2018

Now that it appears Zuccarello is indeed hotly in the rumor mill, Boston seems to be a leading the charge. If the Bruins are willing to part with promising young forward, Jake DeBrusk and likely a 1st rd pick, it will be hard not to swallow the deal if your GM, Jeff Gorton.

Mats Zuccarello is NOT a rental, so this is a hockey deal. Any team trading for Zuccarello will have him for 2 playoff runs at a fair cap hit of 4.5M. Zuccarello is also a top 6 forward that plays both ends of the ice very well.

If a team wants Zuccarello, it won’t be cheap. He also has no trade limitations like Rick Nash and can be sent anywhere, further strengthening Gorton’s position.