Carolina Hurricanes: Should They Consider Mats Zuccarello?

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: New York Rangers Right Wing Mats Zuccarello (36) takes a wrist shot during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers on February 8, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: New York Rangers Right Wing Mats Zuccarello (36) takes a wrist shot during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers on February 8, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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ST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 7: Dallas Stars’ Mats Zuccarello, left, celebrates with Jason Dickinson after scoring a goal during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL Western Conference second-round hockey playoff series between the St. Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars on May 7, 2019, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 7: Dallas Stars’ Mats Zuccarello, left, celebrates with Jason Dickinson after scoring a goal during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL Western Conference second-round hockey playoff series between the St. Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars on May 7, 2019, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Playmaking Ability

Zuccarello is a dangerous passer and is easily his best asset in his offensive game. In 511 career games, he has 355 points with 241 of them being in the assist department. In each season since 2013, he only had less than 30 assists once and that was this last season because of missed time due to injury. He still had 28 assists in 48 games played.

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Zuccarello’s speed, as mentioned In the previous slide, enhances his ability to make plays. He can skate himself open allowing him to either create a passing lane or create a lane to the net in order to get a scoring chance.

Zuccarello isn’t afraid of getting to the dirty areas to score. He will get out in front of the net to help screen a goalie. He will go after rebounds left in front. He will get into board battles in order to gain possession. All of this can lead to putting the puck in the net and players that are willing to work for the result often get rewarded.

Putting all of this together makes Zuccarello a logical fit for the Hurricanes system. They can benefit from his speed and willingness to get to loose pucks.

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