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Mats Zuccarello put on trade block by Rangers at deadline

Mats Zuccarello put on trade block by Rangers at deadline

Why did your team win the Stanley Cup? “Secondary scoring.”

Why did your team lose in the playoffs? “A lack of secondary scoring.”

Different album, same song. We hear it every year. Which is why the availability of a player like Mats Zuccarello at the trade deadline is pretty darn intriguing: He could be a vital piece for another contending team, and could be the player the New York Rangers lament dealing away due to economics if their offense stalls.

Katie Strang of ESPN.com reports it “looks more likely that Rangers F Mats Zuccarello will be traded than re-signed. Teams have been told he's available.” That because talks on a long-term deal have broken down, per the NY Post.

That’s because Zucc is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the Rangers were already facing a cap crunch without the potential of a $69 million cap next season. The team and the player went with a one-year deal last year in the hopes of getting something done long-term. It didn’t materialize. He’s looking for $5-$5.5 million per season.

He’s fifth on the team in scoring at 35 points in 58 games, with a plus-16. He’s an essential part of the team’s top six, and a player that can generate goals on his own. He also drives possession with a 54.4 percent Corsi Close, which is the best for all Rangers forwards with over 20 games played.

Rangers fans don’t want the Hobbit Wizard to go, and that’s understandable. Absent any knowledge of who might come back in a deal, losing Zuccarello takes away an important piece for the Rangers.

But it’s a business, the Rangers’ cap is what it is, and GM Glen Sather and Co. have shown little hesitation in moving players in-season whose contracts will be an issue in the offseason (see: Callahan, Ryan).

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