Dreger: Zuccarello will seek "better than $5 million per year"

Zuccarello's agents, Newport Sports in NYC today. Nothing formal, but contract talks need to get moving. Cap issues with NYR makes it tough.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 19, 2025

Darren Dreger was on NBCSN’s NHL Live on Wednesday evening.

On the latest on Mats Zuccarello's future with the New York Rangers:

“Newport Sports represents Mats Zuccarello. The entourage was in Manhattan, in New York City, talking with the New York Rangers. Obviously Mats Zuccarello would be prime on their agenda, on their list of things to get done. This is not going to get done in-season. But Rangers fans shouldn't be worried about Mats Zuccarello getting traded between now and March 2. Too important to the team. Tough negotiation ahead. The Rangers, again, a cap team. How do they fit this guy under that cap. He's going to want better than $5 million per year. The Rangers probably comfortable on a five-year term. He might want more than that. So there's a lot of heavy lifting ahead for Glen Sather and the management team of the New York Rangers."

Source: NBCSN/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey

Related: McKenzie: "The Rangers have reached out to Zuccarello"