5/9 | Zuccarello said on Thursday that he likes it when a team believes in him and coach Jim Montgomery told him that he’d like to have him back. (SportsDay)
Dallas GM Jim Nill said that Zuccarello “fit like a glove” and that he’s like to keep him. (SportsDay)
5/8 | Larry Brooks writes that Zuccarello is likely to get a four-year deal worth $5.75 million per season, including a no-move clause, in his next contract. (NY Post)
5/7 | The Dallas Stars were eliminated by St. Louis in Game Seven and the Rangers will officially receive Dallas’ second round pick in 2019 as part of the Mats Zuccarello trade.
The Rangers will get the 48th (if Colorado defeats San Jose) or 49th (if San Jose defeats Colorado) pick overall from Dallas.
The Rangers are slated to receive Dallas’ third round pick in 2020 but that will turn into Dallas’ first round pick in 2020 if the Zuccarello re-signs with the Stars this summer.
Elliote Friedman said on the 5/2 31 Thoughts Podcast that the chances of Zuccarello re-signing in Dallas are “very reasonable, they love him. He’s been huge for them.” (Sportsnet)
He added, “when I’ve asked, I’ve been told not to dismiss it.” (Sportsnet)
Zuccarello had four goals and seven assists for Dallas in 13 playoff games.
Adam Rotter: I never expected, when the trade was made, that Dallas to get to the Western Conference Final but the fact that they came so close did leave some disappointment that the Rangers won’t be getting their first round pick. While I’m sure the Rangers would have preferred to have another pick in the top-31 in June, pick 49 from Dallas is a pretty useful asset, especially if they want to include it in a trade.
As for where Zuccarello goes next, I think he will stay in Dallas. He fit in perfectly and I don’t think Dallas will care that much for losing their 2020 first rounder. The Stars are built to win now, and like the Rangers of the past, having a player on their roster that can help them win immediately is more important than 2-3-4 years down the road when a, probably. late first round pick might be ready to make an impact. If it’s not Dallas then I think the Rangers would certainly be in play for him, especially if they miss out on Artemi Panarin. I’m sure David Quinn and the Rangers would love to have Zuccarello set an example for Vitali Kravtsov and, likely, Kaapo Kakko. Ultimately though I think Zuccarello’s time with the Rangers is over and that we should get used to seeing him work with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alex Radulov for years to come.
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