Mats Zuccarello Reportedly Expected to Sign 5-Year Deal With Wild
By Scott Rogust
Even with NHL free agency officially opening up on July 1 at 12 p.m. ET, deals are being brokered the day prior.
According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, the Minnesota Wild are expected to sign former Dallas Stars winger Mats Zuccarello to a five-year contract on Monday. He's expected to earn an annual salary of around $6 million.
All signs pointing to Zuccarello signing with the Wild. Hearing five years and $6 M aav or around there https://t.co/icVUkU6wI5
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2019
With the Stars expected to sign San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski to a three-year contract, Zuccarello's spot with Dallas was in significant doubt.
After tallying 37 points with the New York Rangers by the trade deadline, Dallas acquired him in exchange for a 2019 second-round pick and 2020 third-round pick, both of which were conditional. In his first game with the Stars, Zuccarello scored his first goal on the team only to suffer a broken arm minutes later.
In addition to Mats Zuccarello coming to the #mnwild on a five-year deal at a shade north of $6 million annually, #mnwild looking to add Ryan Hartman on a two-year deal at a shade under $2 million annually
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 1, 2019
Free agency opens at 11 a.m. CT Monday
Despite missing the majority of Dallas' final regular season stretch, Zuccarello showed up in the playoffs, putting up 4 goals and 7 assists in 13 games.
The Minnesota Wild were looking to make a splash in free agency, and they made one by scoring one of the underrated wingers in the NHL.