The Zuccarello Demotion

Calendar October 17, 2011 | Posted by Leslie Treff

Late Saturday night, Kris Newbury was called up to the Rangers and Mats Zuccarello was reassigned to the Connecticut Whale. According to the Rangers, the reason for Zucarello’s demotion was to get him playing time, as he was averaging only 8:25 per game in New York’s three contests, and Newbury certainly earned the promotion, but one has to wonder where the Rangers can make the best use of Zuccarello’s skill set at the NHL level given their current roster.

If Zuccarello is to play in the NHL, it must be in a top six role. He is not a checker with a scoring touch, nor will he be most effective on the fourth line getting fourth line minutes, especially when the head coach does not roll four lines consistently.

So, hypothetically, where can the Rangers play him to get him the minutes he needs to be effective? If Brandon Dubinsky worked as a top line winger with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik, then there might have been room for Zuccarello on the left wing of the second line. But as it happens, the coaching staff looks like it wants to keep the “Pack line” of Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, and Ryan Callahan together as the second line. Because the top line needs a go to the net, hang around the crease winger, which Zucarello is not (even assuming he has the skills to be on the top line), it has effectively has left Zuccarello on the fourth line, a place where Newbury, or another player with his skill set, will be more effective than Zuccarello.

So where? Frankly, at this point, I don’t see a place for Zuccarello on the Rangers. To me, it seems that it would be best for both Zuccarello and for the Rangers to make a trade with Zuccarello going the other way. I believe that he can play at the NHL level, but the Rangers are just not a good fit for him. With New York’s obvious need for a solid two-way experienced defenseman, and their slow start, a trade should be in the works to send Zuc somewhere where he can contribute and for New York to get the piece that they need.

Category Categories: Rangers | Tag Tags: | Comments 1 Comment »

Comments

One Response to “The Zuccarello Demotion”

  1. Eddie " The Mouth " Gieck says:
    October 17, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    There is no place for any offensive players on this team unless they are Sather Big Ticket items.

    John Tortorella has become more of a teacher/disciplinarian of how to play two way hockey. with his Forwards, which is all fine and good if this were a developmental league. But to win games in the NHL you have to a good mix. let the scorers score and let the checkers check.

    As you know Leslie not every player is blessed with the gift of “Jam” and thoughts of back checking as a priority.

    Some are purely finesse players, Every offensive skill player not making major $$$ winds up in Tort’s dog house eventually sometimes for just cause but usually because he frankly rather have 6 brandon Prusts rolling on the 3rd and 4th lines.

    The rangers continue there struggle to generate shots on goal as well as being involved in wayyy to many one goal games because frankly this coach’s style is playing for OT. The Crazy thing about it even with one of the best goalies in the league and In the shootout and a good defense ( w/ Staal and Sauer) they still cant win a playoff series.

    Torts arrived in N.Y with his Motto ” Safe Is Death” and now it’s just “Death” as offense forwards go.. The coach’s style to me smacks of “playing not to lose.” rather than ” playing to win”

    The only enigma in this is Erik Christensen, he continues not to produce on a consistent basis and remains on the big clubs roster for now.