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New York Rangers Must Extend Mats Zuccarello

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How do you hand your heart and soul to a team on a silver platter?  If you’re the New York Rangers, you trade Mats Zuccarello.

There has been growing concern in New York that Rangers GM Glen Sather may indeed pull the trigger and trade the Norwegian-born winger. Zuccarello is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and there is uncertainty regarding his future in New York. It is time for the Rangers to pay No. 36 and due to salary cap constraints, it would appear as though the Blueshirts will have to choose between re-signing Zuccarello or Martin St. Louis.

Zuccarello should not be moved, and the Rangers should pursue a long-term deal with him before doing so with St. Louis.

Zuccarello and St. Louis have much in common. Both men are undersized, were undervalued and used their hard work and sheer determination overachieve in the NHL, making them both fan favorites. Like St. Louis, Zuccarello possesses an innately high hockey IQ and a unique vision of the ice that allows him to prosper as one of the best passers in the league.

The two can often be seen together at the end of practice and warm-ups taking situational one-timers. However, Zuccarello does have Father Time on his side. The winger is 27 and entering his prime while St. Louis, at 40, is seeing his Hall of Fame career drawing to a close. Players such as Nik Lidstrom slowed down significantly between 41-42.

Additionally, the Rangers cannot afford to break up their top line and contend. Zuccarello is an integral part of the trio, developing chemistry with Derick Brassard and Rick Nash.  He is the only one of those three who is not locked up long-term.

The Rangers have made the investment to be Stanley Cup contenders for years to come. Locking up an their all-world goalie in Henrik Lundqvist and core four defenders, the Blueshirts must now retain Derek Stepan and Zuccarello. The team will need to allocate approximately $9.5-10 million of the $20 million they will have available to keep those essential pieces. That would leave around 10 million to tend to St. Louis, J.T. Miller, Carl Hagelin and Jesper Fast.

While the Rangers would gladly take Martin St. Louis, it would have to be at the right price. No. 26 came to New York because he wants to be with his family in Greenwich, CT.  The Blueshirts must use that against him when negotiating this summer. The Rangers are the only team that can fulfill St. Louis’ wishes as he wants to continue to play, see his kids grow up and win a Stanley Cup.

Sather must offer the winger a one-year deal with a cap hit of no more $3 million with a lot of incentives that will not count against the cap. If the front office is able to do so, the Rangers will likely keep Stepan, Zuccarello, Haglin and St. Louis.

Adam Feld is a Rangers writer for www.RantSports.com.  Follow him on Twitter @trublunyblog.  Like him on facebook or add him to your network on google

 

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