Mats Zuccarello has agreed to a one-year, $3.55 million contract.
Zuccarello reportedly wanted $4.5 million annual salary as part of a long-term deal, but the Rangers probably favored giving him a "show me" contract instead. He had 19 goals and 59 points in 77 games last season, but his previous campaigns in the NHL had been something of a mixed bag.
@NYP_Brooksie: Rangers and Zuccarello have reached agreement on one-year deal for $3.5M, will continue to work on long-term that cannot be signed until 1/1
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good NHL season and literally just had his salary more than doubled.
I however would give him a few extra bucks instead of giving it to Brassard. But we'll see.
He didn't have to sign the deal, he was arbi eligible.
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good NHL season and literally just had his salary more than doubled.
I however would give him a few extra bucks instead of giving it to Brassard. But we'll see.
He didn't have to sign the deal, he was arbi eligible.
I pretty much agree - and I'm surprised at the amount Brassard is rumored to be seeking. Seems awfully high to me.
Yes, Hank led us to a Cup Final ... Sather deserves some credit for building the goalie/defense core (which took at least a longer-term blow this offseson trading Stralman for yet another late 30s player).. but I think we all know this team remains undermanned upfront and giving Tanner fucking Glass $4.5 million and guys that can actually create offense r deals for less than that isn't helping matters.
You're never going to be able to keep them all. Have to hope they pick the right ones.
I like that they're holding firm.
Hopefully they get something done with Zucc after 1/1. I think he's one of the keepers.
If Brassard is asking for a lot, let him walk. Can't afford to make an expensive mistake with him when you're staring Kreider, Hags, Stepan (and now Zucc again) in the face over the next couple of years. Brass isn't the kind of player you can afford to overpay, even modestly.
They do need to make some kind of move to turn a winger asset into a C.
The disdain about Glass has gotten a little bit overkill. I don't like the move either, and it doesn't make a ton of sense to me in the context of the DD trade, but the Glass contract isn't what's holding up anything else. I'll defer to AV's previous experience coaching Glass...clearly there's something he likes.
Nickle and dime the core guys, while having no problem paying market rate for UFA's is not the key to long term success.
Even Seth and fluffy know that...
Regardless of any of that shit, these guys are RFA's and they are getting a good raise regardless. They aren't forced to sign anything because they can go to arbitration (all but Moore). I don't think for one second that it's "unfair" to give Zucc a triple (i messed up earlier and said double) pay raise for one very good season. Especially since they all have to fit.
I think its kind of funny to get pissed off about the team giving a player with a short history of success a very solid pay raise with the opportunity to sign long term in January. I mean we root for the team not the player. Since when is a one year deal bad unless you're dealing with a player who you absolutely cannot lose. The player has to play for his extension an if somehow the guy plays at a star level, he either signs a fair deal or he goes and gets some stupidly large deal from a team that overpays.
DOn't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Zucc but this isn't a superstar player that the team is fucking with. How much do you think he would have gotten in arbitration? He literally is getting 3 times his prior money. He now makes more money than the top line center on the team.
But I am fine with one year for now, keep talking and work something out. But paying for mercenaries (and this years crop are a bunch of fuckin sleds) and not paying market value for your guys is just not a smart plan..
They have Kreider, Brassard, Moore as RFA this year, and Stepan and Hagelin next. They have Staal as an UFA, have to pay a backup goalie and may re-sign St. Louis if he plays the way he has. Again, if you ask me if I'd rather pay Zucc or Brassard a bit more, I'd pay Zuccarello but Brassard already is going to make too much and they have to get Kreider locked up too. And again, he could have just gone to arbitration so I doubt highly that the negotiation is some major argument. Just my view I guess. He got exactly what I expected.
Desharnais - 27 year old center - ( New Window )
He will still be an RFA when this contract expires in his qualifying offer will be $2.6 million.