I was debating about what to write today when the topic fell into my lap. Discussing Rangers-Islanders will come tomorrow and no other pressing item appeared to be in the near horizon. But a trade idea proposed by Ryan Wilson on his Penguins blog provided the topic du jour.
Ryan Wilson in his blog (https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Ryan-Wilson/Does-Jim-Rutherfords-big-trade-target-reside-in-the-Big-Apple/177/95929) wrote the following:
A player I think the Penguins will look at to improve their offensive output on the left wing is Mats Zuccarello. He makes 4.5M and has a much better history of putting up offense.
So what does a deal for Zuccarello look like? It’s going to involve Carl Hagelin as a salary dump and it is going to cost the Penguins two assets the Jim Rutherford doesn’t really care about, a first round pick and Daniel Sprong. The Rangers have banked some wins so far this season, but if they are smart they will stay the course and continue with their rebuild. A first round pick and Daniel Sprong isn’t a terrible return for a pending UFA that isn’t going to stay.
Zucc among with Kevin Hayes are the two main assets who likely will be available prior to the trade deadline due to their upcoming status as a unrestricted free agent. Others postulated by the comments in the blog as a more palatable acquisition target were Vladislav Namestnikov and Chris Kreider, each of whom are signed through next season. Zuccarello would provide Pittsburgh a proven scorer at a relatively decent cap hit, especially if taking back Hagelin’s $4 mil salary was part of the equation, who has shown the ability to score in the playoffs and plays much bigger than his size.
Last season, New York began the rebuild by moving their unrestricted assets. Let me hearken you back to the Rick Nash deal for some context here. The Rangers received a first round pick, Ryan Lindgren, Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey, with half his $3.8 mil in salary assumed by Boston, a first round and seventh round picks for Rick Nash, who has a $7.8 million cap hit. Granted this deal came in February so the salary assumption was less, but given where we are now and the prospect of taking back salary, which honestly, doesn’t really impact the Rangers much but means that the team should be rewarded for doing so, the cash impact to Pittsburgh is less than minimal and would allow them to pursue another deal. That matter fact also would be a component in what type of return New York might want, in addition to the deal being made within the division, especially if a deal is made with Pittsburgh.
Obtaining the first fits right into what New York will be looking for in any deal. Sprong, a second round pick in 2015, scored 32 goals and added 33 assists last year at Wilkes-Barre. He has to be able to consistently crack the Pittsburgh lineup, serving as a healthy scratch the past three games. Sprong profiles as a goal scorer but to hear lines from Ryan that he, like the first round pick, is an asset that Rutherford doesn’t care about makes me wonder whether the Penguins are trying to sell relatively high on a player who to use a baseball term might be a 4-A player.
With almost three months to the trade deadline, New York can afford to slow play their desire to possibly move Zucc, knowing a deal like Wilson proposed will likely be there then. In addition, I could see GM Jeff Gorton asking for Filip Hallander or Calen Addison in any deal for Zucc. An interesting proposal by Ryan but one that likely falls a bit short from what Gorton will want and quote possibly receive.
What do you think?
New York Rangers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»