An ode to Mats Zuccarello as a New York Ranger

Time has a curious way of feeling both near and distant, especially in the case of Mats Zuccarello. Watching him perform at a high level with Minnesota brought around a wave of nostalgia. It feels like just yesterday when he showcased his skills for Team Norway in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

I vividly recall witnessing his first goal against Carolina in OT and marveling at his nimble shootout performances that had the entire crowd on their feet. Zuccarello quickly dispelled any notion of being a fluke, evolving from a fringe forward to a team leader adored by all of Rangerstown.

All this comes up as the 2024 trade deadline draws nearer and calls for players like Ryan Hartman become more vocal. Anything involving Minnesota means Mats Zuccarello’s name will be brought up.

Despite his smaller stature, Zuccarello’s unmatched energy and determination compensated for his lack of height. As a tremendously skilled forward with exceptional on-ice vision, he elevated the performance of those around him. Just ask players like Mika Zibanejad, Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard, Rick Nash, and Chris Kreider, each of whom experienced a boost with Zuccarello as their linemate.

Night after night, he elevated the team’s chances of victory, and the collective chant of “ZUUUUUUUUUUUC” from over 18,000 fans at MSG became a sweet symphony. Sam Rosen’s exclamation of this sound became a rallying cry for Ranger fans, symbolizing the unity in cheering for Mats Zuccarello.

Heart and soul players are a staple of any contending team, and Zuccarello embodied these qualities for the New York Rangers. His relentless efforts on the ice endeared him to fans, and his clutch performances in crucial moments, such as the 2017 playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens, further solidified his legacy. Zuccarello’s leadership qualities, combined with his exceptional skill, earned him a permanent spot with the Rangers after a challenging start in 2013.

Beyond the rink, Zuccarello exhibited strong character, class, and resilience, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he encountered, including the fans who admired him even more for these qualities.

His toughness was most evident in the face of life-threatening implications during Game 5 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Engaged in a play in front of Henrik Lundqvist, Zuccarello took a Ryan McDonagh slap shot to the left side of his head, resulting in a brain contusion. Despite losing the ability to speak at one point, he showcased incredible determination, raising questions about his hockey future but ultimately overcoming the adversity.

Zuccarello said he suffered a brain contusion, had bleeding on the brain and had a hairline fracture of his skull. He did not suffer a concussion. He spent three days in a hospital and only began talking after four days with the help of speech therapy, which he is still undergoing. Zuccarello also said he had initially lost some feeling in his arm.

“Of course, yeah,” Zuccarello said at the Rangers’ breakup day when asked if he was scared. “In the beginning I couldn’t talk. I lost everything. It was scary, but the doctors have been really good and made sure I knew I was gonna be healthy.” New York Daily News  

Despite facing challenging circumstances, he made a remarkable recovery from a severe injury and reentered the Rangers lineup, displaying incredible strength and determination. Upon his return, he not only led the team in scoring but also received recognition with the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award (his third time winning) and became a finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy that summer.

As the Rangers decided to go through a rebuilding phase, many fan favorites departed, and sadly, Mats Zuccarello’s departure was a product of this change. Despite him not being in Blue anymore, we are left with indelible memories and enduring impressions he created for all of us.

Day in and day out, Mats Zuccarello made supporting the Rangers more enjoyable, giving his all with unmatched effort, a genuine love for the game, and appreciation for the fans. His humble attitude truly exemplified what it means to be a New York Ranger. We will always remember what he brought to this team as well as providing us with so much to cheer for and cherish while watching the Rangers.