Rangers talking with Mats Zuccarello on an extension while looking at Andrej Sekera
Mats Zuccarello scores the GWG goal against Carolina (Photo: Gregg Forwerck/Getty Images)
Per Darren Dreger, the Rangers and right-wing Mats Zuccarello are involved in discussions that may include a long-term contract.
The Norweigian forward has a scoring line of 11-21-32 points in fifty-three games this season. Darren Dreger also noted that the Rangers won’t be trading the hobbit whether a deal is done by March 2nd, or not.
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This is good news but in a business like the New York Rangers’ you have to take this with a grain of salt. You never know what could happen between now and the deadline two weeks from now. An injury could affect the already shallow center depth or the sides could be so far apart that management begins listening to offers.
Darren Dreger also noted on NBCSN that Mats Zuccarello is looking for 5 million plus. That demand is likely why no extension hasn’t been worked out yet.
Alain Vigneault stated that he wants Mats Zuccarello back on Broadway long-term.
Mats Zuccarello is a fan favorite for his relentless style of play. Zuc is liked by his teammates and management as much as he is by the fans. Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault has stated his desire to keep Mats Zuccarello in New York. It’s unlikely AV would have made a statement like that without inside knowledge. He most likely would not undermine his general manager. AV knows how Glen Sather feels about resigning “Zuc” and the direction the Rangers plan to go.
Resigning Mats Zucarello could directly effect the status of Carl Hagelin and Martin St. Louis.
The contract talks with Mats Zuccarello are likely a direct result of how Glen Sather plans to deal with Carl Hagelin and Martin St. Louis. Zuc and MSL are Unrestricted and Hagelin is restricted. For this reason, the Rangers may let Martin St. Louis and his $5 mil contract go first. Carl Hagelin is still cost controlled for another season before he is eligible to become unrestricted. That makes a long-term contract a little more difficult for the Rangers to get Carl Hagelin under. However, he’s a young two-way player and a staple on the Rangers for several years now.
Report: The New York Rangers still kicking the tires on Car (D) Andrej Sekera.
Yeah that’s right, we’re still talking about defenseman Andrej Sekera. It’s been over a year now since the Rangers love affair began with Sekera. Both sides should just kiss and get it over with. He’s a good defenseman and would help solidify the Rangers third defense pair but his $2.750 mil cap charge is more than the Rangers can afford.
Unless Sather plans to send a roster players contract to Carolina to make room for Sekera. He is likely nothing more than a pipe dream, especially with the need for a fourth line winger.
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