There isn't enough of a history to suggest Zuccarello will have a bounce back season. He has only been in the league for a full three full seasons. Prior to that he was in and out of Tortorella's doghouse, played sparingly.

Last season he was solid from November until the end of the season. But this year he has extended his October 2013 stint for more than half of the 2014-15 season. It's not like he hasn't had the chance to succeed; he has been in the top six forward rotation all season long.

Time for him to either get demoted to the third line or shown a seat for a few games. He makes too many careless plays with the puck and never shoots.
- MidnightMarauder

Here is the way I look at it. There are players you like when the are playing on their entry level deals, but not so much when their salary bumps up to the 4-5 million middle class. You have your core players who you pay and the non-core players that you can hopefully replace with guys coming up through the system if you draft well. Which one is Zucc?

Here is the way I look at it. There are players you like when the are playing on their entry level deals, but not so much when their salary bumps up to the 4-5 million middle class. You have your core players who you pay and the non-core players that you can hopefully replace with guys coming up through the system if you draft well. Which one is Zucc?
- Pete V

right now, there is no doubt in my mind that Zucc is a guy that can be replaced by Duclair and/or Buchnevich

You could very well be right and he could bounce back next season, whether still here or with another organization. The frustration with Zuccarello is that he plays highly undisciplined hockey. Whether it's him getting overzealous and taking a stupid penalty, making a careless play with the puck that creates high percentage scoring chances for the opposition or not knowing when to take a shot. There are just too many careless mistakes that he makes. I know it's not from lack of trying or caring and I know he has enough talent to be a credible second line winger but he has wasted a good opportunity this season to help himself and the team.
- MidnightMarauder

We can all agree on the bolded part.

I have noticed the low percentage passes that always seem to go the other way. I wonder if his confidence is just shot this year, because I dont remember him doing that as much as last year. I would like to see how he plays the rest of the year and hopefully the playoffs.

I guess it doesn't really matter either way, because if he has a great rest of the year and a great playoffs, he would most likely price himself off the team anyway.

We can all agree on the bolded part.

I have noticed the low percentage passes that always seem to go the other way. I wonder if his confidence is just shot this year, because I dont remember him doing that as much as last year. I would like to see how he plays the rest of the year and hopefully the playoffs.

I guess it doesn't really matter either way, because if he has a great rest of the year and a great playoffs, he would most likely price himself off the team anyway.
- mdw7413

I hope he kills it for the rest of the year, that is for sure

I think this is actually the best thing that can work out for the Rangers. Zuccarello is playing himself into a cap friendly extension. If he finishes around 40pts. this season, there is no way he will get over $5M in the open market and his agent may tell him that. Considering he wants to stay in NY and he won't really cash in anywhere, maybe we can sign him to a 4 year deal at around $4M per. Even with his regression this year, I would take that. He's still really young and I think we all know what he can do. It doesn't help that Nash's scoring has also been at a slower pace too, it could be that Zucc isn't scoring off of Nash's goals like he was.

I think this is actually the best thing that can work out for the Rangers. Zuccarello is playing himself into a cap friendly extension. If he finishes around 40pts. this season, there is no way he will get over $5M in the open market and his agent may tell him that. Considering he wants to stay in NY and he won't really cash in anywhere, maybe we can sign him to a 4 year deal at around $4M per. Even with his regression this year, I would take that. He's still really young and I think we all know what he can do. It doesn't help that Nash's scoring has also been at a slower pace too, it could be that Zucc isn't scoring off of Nash's goals like he was.
- xcheckmajor

I would still take that right now.

We can all agree on the bolded part.

I have noticed the low percentage passes that always seem to go the other way. I wonder if his confidence is just shot this year, because I dont remember him doing that as much as last year. I would like to see how he plays the rest of the year and hopefully the playoffs.

I guess it doesn't really matter either way, because if he has a great rest of the year and a great playoffs, he would most likely price himself off the team anyway.
- mdw7413

I remember he making a lot of risky low percentage passes last year...he just always completed them

Last year, him and his line weren't facing the oppositions top defensive assignments. He had first PP unit time too.

https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r...ihQd1L0uuvCDRwV9QzQQihrZV

I remember he making a lot of risky low percentage passes last year...he just always completed them

Last year, him and his line weren't facing the oppositions top defensive assignments. He had first PP unit time too.
- rangerdanger94

True enough

I hope he kills it for the rest of the year, that is for sure
- Pete V

Yeah Pete, need all pistons firing this year in the playoffs and he was a big part of that last year.

I would still take that right now.
- jimbro83

He's not earning $3.5' I'm not sure I'd be giving him a raise, 4 years $12 million and I'd be more inclined, someone mentioned Antoine Roussel earlier, I'd overpay for him, we need to revamp this bottom 6, separate Hags and Hayes, stop sitting Miller and discard Glass already although I did enjoy him trying literally take Martin's face off

He's not earning $3.5' I'm not sure I'd be giving him a raise, 4 years $12 million and I'd be more inclined, someone mentioned Antoine Roussel earlier, I'd overpay for him, we need to revamp this bottom 6, separate Hags and Hayes, stop sitting Miller and discard Glass already although I did enjoy him trying literally take Martin's face off
- KreiderBomb

Roussel is definitely the kind of player this fan base would embrace and in a hurry. Highly doubt Dallas will move him though.

Roussel is definitely the kind of player this fan base would embrace and in a hurry. Highly doubt Dallas will move him though.
- MidnightMarauder

yeah, Roussel has a great contract, 2 million cap hit per year until 2018, why is he even being talked about, they'd never move him

yeah, Roussel has a great contract, 2 million cap hit per year until 2018, why is he even being talked about, they'd never move him
- jimbro83

Pipe dream I know, how did he go undrafted then trough two organizations before Dallas found him?

This gonna sound wicked crazy but how about flip flopping Hags and Kreider, maybe the BC boys can more chemistry and balance out the lineup, or put Miller with Step and Hags with Moore finally put Glass under a rock?

This gonna sound wicked crazy but how about flip flopping Hags and Kreider, maybe the BC boys can more chemistry and balance out the lineup, or put Miller with Step and Hags with Moore finally put Glass under a rock?
- KreiderBomb

I said a while back I'd like to see Kreider with Hayes. Maybe
Nash-Brass-Hags
MSL-Stepan-Miller
Kreider-Hayes-Zucc
Fast-Moore-Stempniak

I said a while back I'd like to see Kreider with Hayes. Maybe
Nash-Brass-Hags
MSL-Stepan-Miller
Kreider-Hayes-Zucc
Fast-Moore-Stempniak
- nyrangers9479

Maybe Kreider-Hayes-Miller, that line might be an answer for the Isles

Maybe Kreider-Hayes-Miller, that line might be an answer for the Isles
- KreiderBomb

No matter what our 4th line is just "there." It's not a scoring line, it's not a checking line, it's not a physical line, it's not a possession line. . . It's just there.

Maybe Kreider-Hayes-Miller, that line might be an answer for the Isles
- KreiderBomb

I like the look of that line on paper.

I said a while back I'd like to see Kreider with Hayes. Maybe
Nash-Brass-Hags
MSL-Stepan-Miller
Kreider-Hayes-Zucc
Fast-Moore-Stempniak
- nyrangers9479

Hags has no business playing w Nash and brass; doesn't have the vision or the hands
To be useful.
He'd be better on the 4th line creating some havoc w speed and forecheck if
He's getting bumped off the 3rd line. He doesn't really complement creative
Players like Hayes but he can create opportunities on his own.

recap blog up

...