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Pros, cons of Rangers bringing back Mats Zuccarello in free agency
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- Pros, cons of Rangers bringing back Mats Zuccarello in free agency
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When NHL free agency opens up at noon on Wednesday, Mats Zuccarello is expected to be one of the more intriguing veteran forwards available on the market. That raises the question of whether the New York Rangers should consider bringing the franchise's favorite Norwegian back to Broadway.
According to Michael Russo of The Athletic , Minnesota spent much of the offseason focused on other roster moves, including a potential trade for Dylan Larkin, leaving Zuccarello's future in question. League sources told the pair that the 38-year-old is "pretty ticked" with how the situation unfolded.
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The report added that the Wild appear ready to move on from Zuccarello, believing Krill Kaprizov is too reliant on his linemate and would benefit from building chemistry with other (younger) players.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that Zuccarello will officially test the open market.
Despite turning 39 in September, Zuccarello continues to produce at a high level and could address a legitimate need in the Rangers top-six forward group. So, although the idea may sound like a move fueled by nostalgia, there are plenty of valid reasons why a reunion makes sense.
Pros of Rangers bringing Mats Zuccarello back to Broadway
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According to Sportsnet and AFP Analytics , Zuccarello is projected to sign a one-year deal worth roughly $5.8 million. Zuccarello earned $4.125 million last season, so, given his age, maybe that projection is a bit high for his next contract.
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The Rangers currently have more than $15.65 million in available cap space, per PuckPedia . So, if they can find a happy medium here, a Zuccarello signing shouldn;t break the bank.
There's also very little long-term risk if the Rangers structure the deal correctly. Assuming Zuccarello signs a one-year deal without a no-move or no-trade clause, the Rangers maintain complete control. If the Blueshirts are in the playoff race, Zuccarello remains an experienced player for a postseason run. If they fall out of contention, general manager Chris Drury could revisit the situation ahead of the trade deadline and move him to a Stanley Cup contender looking to add another piece piece to its roster.
Zuccarello averaged nearly a point per game last season — 56 in points in 59 games. He scored 19 goals two seasons agao and had 51 assists in 2023-24. He was also a key cog for the Wild in the 2026 postseason, totaling nine points (two goals, seven assists) in eight games.
So, yes, he can still play and produce. Plus, he remains among the hardest workers in the game, a reputation he forged with the Rangers from 2010-19. Zuccarello is a three-time winner of the prestigious Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award , as voted by Rangers fans each season.
His leadership and work ethic surely would be welcome in the Rangers room. That's especially so with respected veterans Jonny Brodzinski is headed to free agency , and Vincent Trocheck very possibly being traded this summer. Though not loved by the fans, Conor Sheary was also a respected voice in the room last season, and he, too, won't be back in 2026-27.
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On the ice, assuming Pavel Dorofeyev , recently acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights , begins the season alongside J.T. Miller on one of New York's top two lines, Zuccarello would be a natural fit on the opposite wing.
Dorofeeyv is an established NHL goal scorer who led the Golden Knights with 37 this past season and 35 in 2024-25. He has one of the best shot releases on the roster and consistently proven capable of finishing his chances.
Throughout his NHL career, Zuccarello's vision, patience with the puck, and ability to create passing lanes helped make players around him better.
The skill sets complement each other almost perfectly. Miller does much of his best work below the goal line and through the middle of the ice, using his physicality to win puck battles and extend offensive zone possessions. And pairing his physical style with Dorofeyev's finishing and Zuccarello's playmaking could give the Rangers another legitimate line, along with the Alexis Lafreniere – Mika Zibanejad – Gabe Perrault threesome.
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Zuccarello also gives coach Mike Sullivan another veteran option on the power play. Throughout his time in Minnesota, Zuccarello spent years on the Wild's top power-play unit, operating mostly from the half wall.
Whether Sullivan chooses to use him on the first or second power-play unit, adding Zuccarello only strengthens New York's special teams. If Trocheck stays with the Rangers, Zuccarello gives the second unit a true playmaker who can generate offense. If Trochheck is traded, Zuccarelo has the experience and skill set to compete for a role on the top unit alongside Adam Fox, Miller, Zibanejad, and Dorofeyev.
Cons of Rangers bringing Mats Zuccarello back to Broadway
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Of course there are serious questions about a Zuccarello reunion.
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Since Kaprizov entered the NHL in 2020-21, he and Zuccarello spent most of their time together at even strength and on Minnesota's top power-play unit. Zuccarello assisted on 93 of Kaprizov's 230 regular-season goals, along with nine of his 19 playoff goals.
For that reason, some around the League believe Zuccarello's production will decline away from Kaprizov. It's definitely a fair concern, especially given that the Wild view moving on from Zuccarello as a chance for Kaprizov to build synergy elsewhere.
Zuccarello also missed significant time in each of the past three seasons, failing to reach the 70-game mark in any of them. That's not necessarily surprising for a player of his age, but it raises concerns about whether he can stay healthy over the course of an 84-game schedule.
Another concern is how Zuccarello could affect the long-term plan.
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If Drury ends up trading Trocheck or Braden Schneider this offseason, the Rangers likely want a younger middle-six talent in return. Throwing Zuccarello into the mix could complicate that by taking away middle-six minutes that might otherwise go to a younger player picked up in a trade.
The same argument applies internally. Prospects like Liam Greentree and Nathan Aspinall could force themselves into the conversation with strong training camps or impressive starts in the minors next season. Signing Zuccarello could make it more difficult for younger forwards to earn opportunities, something that seems to run counter to the Rangers' goal of getting younger and continuing to develop their prospect pool.
Still, reuniting with Zuccarello is a worthy conversation for Drury and Co. to have ahead of free agency, an option worth considering, though also dependent on other moves and the bigger picture.
And it sure would be ironic if the Rangers bring Zuccarello back during an organizational retool, seven years after trading him to the Dallas Stars during their most recent rebuild.
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