Mats Zuccarello sports the Broadway Hat in a Rangers win last season.
Getty Images/rangers.nhl.com

Yesterday, the Rangers and Mats Zuccarello avoided arbitration. They reached agreement on a one-year $3.5 million deal. This is the first bit of good news in weeks. In what’s otherwise been an all too predictable disappointing July, at least Glen Sather was able to get Zuccarello at a reasonable cost.

The 26-year old Norwegian set career highs in goals (19), assists (40) and points (59) while contributing five goals and eight assists in the postseason. One of their most consistent performers, Zuccarello broke out playing on the third line anchored by Derick Brassard and ex-Ranger Benoit Pouliot. It was the play of that scoring unit which was instrumental in helping the team make their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 20 years. The creativity of Zuccarello was on display along with a willingness to mix it up despite his smallish 5-7, 179-pound frame.

A fan favorite, he heard chants of “Zuuuccc,” from MSG. A year away from unrestricted free agency, Zuccarello settled for less than a million after reportedly asking for $4.5 million. Rather than go to arbitration which can be an ugly process, he came down and took one for the team. Though I’d hardly call a $2.35 million raise following one big season chopped liver. He earned $1.15 million in ’13-14.

What this does is give Sather approximately $8.8 million to re-sign Brassard, Chris Kreider and John Moore. With Brassard reportedly seeking in excess of $5 million and Kreider and Moore due raises, the Rangers should just have enough to fit them in. The more dicey scenario is if Brassard goes to arbitration and only gets a year he, Zuccarello and Marc Staal would all be UFA’s next summer. Along with Derek Stepan entering the final year of a bridge deal that will pay him $3.85 million in ’14-15, it promises to be another challenging year for Sather.

The organization is faced with some tough decisions. It makes sense for them to try locking up Stepan before next summer. At least he’ll still be a Group II. Of course, Staal will be top priority. Either they extend him during the season or move him. There’s no in between. Combined with Zuccarello and Brassard, who could put themselves in position for big paydays, that’s a lot of green.

In the meantime, let’s see if Slats can settle with Kreider. I wouldn’t count on that scenario playing out with Brassard. Moore doesn’t have arbitration rights, which means Sather will squeeze him. September can’t come soon enough.