Odds Say Rangers Trade Mats Zuccarello Ahead of 2019 Deadline
By Ryan Bolta in NHL Hockey
Updated: April 3, 2020 at 10:49 am EDTPublished:
- Mats Zuccarello has 9 goals and 23 assists this season
- He is making $4.5 million in the last year of his deal
- The Rangers are 7 points out of a playoff spot and are likely going to be sellers at the trade deadline
Mats Zuccarello is player many are speculating could be on the move ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline on February 25th. As the deadline nears, sportsbooks have released a prop on Zuccarello’s chances of being involved in a deal.
Odds Mats Zuccarello is Traded Before Deadline
| Will Mats Zuccarello be Traded by the Deadline? | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | -180 |
| No | +140 |
*Odds taken 2/12
You have to pay a premium of -180 to take the side of yes he will be dealt, but here’s the case why it’s more than worth the price.
Zuccarello is a Pending Unrestricted Free Agent
The Rangers are not a playoff team and Zuccarello is on an expiring deal, making him the perfect player to be traded before the deadline.
10. Sergei Bobrovsky,
7. Micheal Ferland
3. Mats Zuccarello@SpectorsHockey names the 10 players with the highest chances of being traded before the deadline.https://t.co/Ms7dMtEX9W pic.twitter.com/BVnTj7SEKH— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 Canada 🇨🇦 (@sportingnewsca) February 11, 2019
Many lists have Zuccarello on it and that makes perfect sense. He has 9 goals and 23 assists for 32 points this season, and the price wouldn’t be too high. He’s a perfect fit on a 3rd line for a contender looking for some extra scoring depth.
Zuccarello Making $4.5 Million This Year
Some of the players on the block come with big price tags like Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky. On the other hand, Zuccarello is only making $4.5 million this year, making the remainder of his contract very easy to fit under the cap for a contender without much money left to spend.
In theory, a contending team would not need to trade a roster player to make the trade work financially, meaning a prospect or pick swap very easy.
“This was a big step and a good game by everyone. You always want to put on a good game, especially here at home.”
—Zucc on closing out the homestand with a big W over Toronto. pic.twitter.com/hXzWu6feN0
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
Rangers GM Jeff Gorton Wants to Deal
The best reason that a deal will happen in this case is there really isn’t a reason why it won’t.
Even if the Rangers wanted Zuccarello back long term, they could sell the asset and re-sign him once he’s a UFA July 1st. Rangers GM Jeff Gorton will be highly motivated here and it’s an easy move to make. All he needs to do is pick up the phone when it rings and take the best offer available at 2:59 Eastern Time February 25th.
Zuccarello Should Keep a Suitcase Packed
He’s as good as gone, and frankly the price of -180 is pretty affordable when you weigh it against the likelihood of him actually staying in New York.
Bet Yes and wait for your windfall no more than 14 days from now.
PICK: MATS ZUCCARELLO WILL BE TRADED BEFORE THE DEADLINE (-180)
Our NHL Trade Deadline Coverage:
Sports Writer
Ryan has been working at TSN for over eleven years, and is now a lead writer and content producer at That's Hockey. Over the years, he's launched and hosted TSN's first NCAAF podcast, The College Football Show, and been featured on the likes of TSN 1050, Sportscentre, and That's Hockey 2Nite.
