Zucc not waiting for trade, but knows it may occur
OTTAWA, Ontario — In a moment of candidness, Mats Zuccarello said what most others are thinking: It’s likely he will be traded by the Rangers.
The winger recently went on a hockey podcast with Roy Kvatningen, a respected journalist from his native Norway, and spoke about what it’s like to be in the final year of his contract and the likelihood he is going to be dealt before the Feb. 25 deadline. At 31 years old and finishing a four-year, $18 million deal, Zuccarello understands his situation in relation to the Rangers organization, which is committed to its on-the-fly rebuilding.
“A trade appears to be most likely,” Zuccarello said, according to Kvatningen’s translation, which was sent to The Post and went along with the audio posted online. “I guess am prepared for it. Basically, I’m just waiting for it to happen. It’s a tough spot to be in, if I’m being honest.”
After that was picked up on the internet with a headline saying Zuccarello was “waiting for a trade,” he attempted to clarify.
A team spokesman talked Thurs- day to Zuccarello, who is in New York trying to recover from a rightgroin injury that has kept him out for eight of the previous 10 games and will keep him out for this twogame road trip, which started with Thursday night’s loss to the Senators. Zuccarello’s response was that it “is not what he said,” according to the spokesman, “and not how he feels. He said in the last year of a contract, you have to be prepared for anything because it’s out of your control.”
In the podcast, Zuccarello also reiterated his fondness for the only NHL franchise for which he has played, while also looking ahead to what might be a different home.
“I’ve always said that I only ever want to play for the New York Rangers,” Zuccarello said, “but I’ve been thinking … I’m getting older and maybe I could use a new spark.”
The Rangers have four injured forwards not on the trip — Zuccarello (groin, day-to-day), Vlad Namestnikov (in concussion protocol), Pavel Buchnevich (broken thumb, out another 2-4 weeks) and Cody McLeod (fractured hand, out another 3-5 weeks).
Quinn said it’s “on the table” the Rangers might call up a forward from AHL Hartford when this trip continues with a practice in Montreal on Friday, followed by a game there Saturday night.
Rookie Lias Andersson moved out of the middle and started on the wing with Brett Howden and Jesper Fast, before Quinn juggled every combination for the third period.