Value of: Zuccarello, Mats.

[haveandare]

The Nash trade return comparison continues to be brought up. I know we overpaid to acquire Nash, but we were getting a veteran leader, 2-way player that could kill penalties and put up goals (long ago). Does Zuccarell do any of that? I haven't watched the Rangers much the last few seasons, but he wasn't a guy that stood out to me.

If the cost is a first, player and prospect, there are a few other Rangers players I'd rather get

He's a veteran leader who is average on defense, plays PP well and is vastly more productive than Nash was when he was traded. Zucc has led NYR in scoring for years. IMO there's not even a question if he's better and more valuable than Nash was when traded. He's probably past his peak now but still a lot better than Nash was last year.

 

[WesMcCauley]

He's a veteran leader who is average on defense, plays PP well and is vastly more productive than Nash was when he was traded. Zucc has led NYR in scoring for years. IMO there's not even a question if he's better and more valuable than Nash was when traded. He's probably past his peak now but still a lot better than Nash was last year.

Zucc has been top 10 in takeaways in the NHL for a number of years. He is also a fantastic backchecker, would say he is more than average at defense. He is no Bergeron but he is good defensively.

 

[Kaapo Cabana]

The Nash trade return comparison continues to be brought up. I know we overpaid to acquire Nash, but we were getting a veteran leader, 2-way player that could kill penalties and put up goals (long ago). Does Zuccarell do any of that? I haven't watched the Rangers much the last few seasons, but he wasn't a guy that stood out to me.

If the cost is a first, player and prospect, there are a few other Rangers players I'd rather get

[x] Veteran leader
[x] Two way player
[x] scores goals (better than Nash did when he was traded)
[ ] kill penalties

Zucc is also a better playmaker than Nash. Nash had brand name recognition, but Zucc is the better player.

 

[Charlie Conway]

The Nash trade return comparison continues to be brought up. I know we overpaid to acquire Nash, but we were getting a veteran leader, 2-way player that could kill penalties and put up goals (long ago). Does Zuccarello do any of that? I haven't watched the Rangers much the last few seasons, but he wasn't a guy that stood out to me.

If the cost is a first, player and prospect, there are a few other Rangers players I'd rather get

He has leadership qualities, and though he plays his best in an offensive role due to his passing ability and creativity, he's not bad defensively. He's pretty good with takeaways. He has played on the PK, and I believe he has been the team leader in points in 4 of the last 5 or 6 seasons. For what it's worth, it seems he's valued in the locker room based on how his teammates talk about him.

It's kind of funny how HF consensus works. When he started consistently scoring in the 50-something point range and the Rangers looked like contenders, a lot of the league took notice. Now it seems like the consensus is that he's overrated.

I'm not certain what he'll get. It will depend on who's available and which teams are lookng for wingers. Personally, I don't think a first is out of the question at all. For a team needing scoring depth, he could be a big add, especially since the Rangers can easily retain to bring his cost to below 3 million.

 

[Shootertooter]

The Nash trade return comparison continues to be brought up. I know we overpaid to acquire Nash, but we were getting a veteran leader, 2-way player that could kill penalties and put up goals (long ago). Does Zuccarell do any of that? I haven't watched the Rangers much the last few seasons, but he wasn't a guy that stood out to me.

If the cost is a first, player and prospect, there are a few other Rangers players I'd rather get

If Nash stood out to you over Zucc. you may not have been looking close enough. Zuccarello has been way more consistent than Nash as a Ranger.
Nash' highest scoring season with the Rangers was 2014/2015 with 69pts.......he never scored more than 38pts after that season, he got 42pts in the prior season. Zuccarello has been a pretty consistent play maker as his average of 55pts for the last 5 seasons suggests. Zucc. has been a very reliable defensive player as well. Solid takeaway numbers. He definitely has a solid 2way game. I'm not sure of his deployment this season regarding PK time under Quinn but he has done well in that roll in seasons past. I'm not going to say he was a pk specialist because he isn't. But he certainly is not a liability.

At this point I think Zuccarello returns a 1st......(which is going to be a later 1st) and a decent b level prospect. Maybe a better prospect if the Rangers retain or take back contract. I don't think this is a reach.

 

[haveandare]

Zucc has been top 10 in takeaways in the NHL for a number of years. He is also a fantastic backchecker, would say he is more than average at defense. He is no Bergeron but he is good defensively.

Fair enough, I was just going by memories of eye test. All the better if he's also good defensively but the numbers.

Point is, he's a hell of a lot better than Nash was when he was traded last year, and I liked both players as Rangers a lot.

 

[Shootertooter]

A 1st?!?! I don't think he's necessarily overrated but he's much more valuable to the Rangers than any other team (fan favorite, homegrown etc). I tend to think Rangers fans in general overrate their players more than any other fan base but that may be because I'm in Rangers country. He's scored over 20 goals once and averaged around 58 points since he became a regular in 13-14. Don't think that qualifies for a 1st round return, 2nd rd + is a def possibility.

A 2nd + Rykov is what you paid for Grabner, who was a 1 dimensional player at best. You don't think he would fetch more than that? 55pt avg.
I believe Zucc is a much better and more complete/consistent player than Grabner ever was.... I absolutely think he returns a higher premium than Grabs. He might be worth more to NY but he should still worth a 1st + a decent prospect to a contender.

 

[Shootertooter]

The Nash trade return comparison continues to be brought up. I know we overpaid to acquire Nash, but we were getting a veteran leader, 2-way player that could kill penalties and put up goals (long ago). Does Zuccarell do any of that? I haven't watched the Rangers much the last few seasons, but he wasn't a guy that stood out to me.

If the cost is a first, player and prospect, there are a few other Rangers players I'd rather get

If Hayes is one of those guys....offer up.

 

[One Winged Angel]

If Grabner and Nash can get what they got, Zuccarello can and I think will get more. Guy is a solid two-way top-6 winger.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Bottom line is that as a rental, 2.25 mil after retention, he will excel on a contending team that’s strong down the middle but lacking in W depth (there are several). He can move up and down the lineup, puts up points, makes players around him better, plays with a big heart, goes all out on every shift, good in the room, etc. He should be one of the most coveted Ws come deadline - don’t kid yourself he’s getting a late 1st back with a B prospect or a 2nd with an A prospect.

Don’t care about the Nash trade, I think it was a dead F market, name brand, and the “how does he look in a Bs sweater” eye test.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

A 2nd + Rykov is what you paid for Grabner, who was a 1 dimensional player at best. You don't think he would fetch more than that? 55pt avg.
I believe Zucc is a much better and more complete/consistent player than Grabner ever was.... I absolutely think he returns a higher premium than Grabs. He might be worth more to NY but he should still worth a 1st + a decent prospect to a contender.

I agree with you. Grabs is interesting though, one dimensional yes but his speed on the PK and break away threat/goals really really impacted many games for us. He was also the fittest player on the team every year. 25-30 goals is still 25-30 goals. His return was spot on, just never adjusted to the new team. Never mind we blew that pick.....

 

[WesMcCauley]

[x] Veteran leader
[x] Two way player
[x] scores goals (better than Nash did when he was traded)
[ ] kill penalties

Zucc is also a better playmaker than Nash. Nash had brand name recognition, but Zucc is the better player.

Zucc has played a good amount on the PK this season btw. 4th most minutes shorthanded among forwards on NYR and Zucc has only played 17 games because of injury

 

[Kaapo Cabana]

Zucc has played a good amount on the PK this season btw. 4th most minutes shorthanded among forwards on NYR and Zucc has only played 17 games because of injury

He has but he is nowhere near as accomplished as Nash was on the PK.

Zucc on the PK is still pretty new so I left it off

 

[Calad]

The Nash trade return comparison continues to be brought up. I know we overpaid to acquire Nash, but we were getting a veteran leader, 2-way player that could kill penalties and put up goals (long ago). Does Zuccarell do any of that? I haven't watched the Rangers much the last few seasons, but he wasn't a guy that stood out to me.

If the cost is a first, player and prospect, there are a few other Rangers players I'd rather get

He does literally all of that

 

[haveandare]

He does literally all of that

And scores way, way more