It looks like Mats Zuccarello could be returning to the Rangers. The 25-year old Norwegian who played this season with Metallurg of the KHL, is in negotiations with the club on a one-year, one-way deal. Credit to The NYRBlog’s Adam Herman for breaking the story this morning.
Assuming Zuccarello is back for the stretch drive, the diminutive forward could provide a boost on the power play. While not consistent in his previous stint here, he does possess play making abilities. MZA is a good skater capable of contributing offensively. He only got into 10 games last year due to a broken left wrist, which cost him any chance of participating in the playoffs.
Zuccarello went 2-1-3 in ’11-12 for the Blueshirts. He tallied 36 points (12-24-36) over 37 games for the Whale. In his first season here, MZA registered six goals and 17 assists totaling 23 points in 43 contests. John Tortorella wanted him to play both ends, which explains why he never saw consistent ice-time. He seemed to be getting it when he dove to block a shot that ended ’11-12.
In a year where they added Rick Nash (10-15-25), the Rangers rank last in the East in goals scored (73). The only clubs who’ve scored fewer are Edmonton (72) and San Jose (71). They’ve played one less game. If you broke down our goalscorers, it’s ugly:
-Nash leads the team with 10 goals in 27 games.
–Derek Stepan, Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik are tied for second with nine in 31. Including yesterday, Gaborik has three goals in his last 21.
–Carl Hagelin is fifth with eight goals. Hags has one goal in March after notching seven in February. He benefited from playing with Nash. Hagelin’s work ethic is unquestioned. He makes things happen.
–Brad Richards has four goals in 31 games. Half came earlier this month after returning from injury. His last goal came on 3/10 versus Washington. A 4-1 win. Until last night (assist), he had gone six games without a point and was minus-four. Richards’ struggles have hurt the team the most.
-Outside of Taylor Pyatt (no goals in 13), no other Ranger forward has more than two goals. Pyatt is actually tied with Richards.
–Mike Del Zotto and Anton Stralman each have three from the blueline. They definitely miss Marc Staal (2-9-11).
-The Blueshirts rank 24th on the power play (14.6 percent). Their penalty kill has slipped outside the top 10 placing 12th (82.1 percent).
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