Another veteran has joined the group of free agent signings for the Los Angeles Kings and general manager Ken Holland on Day 1 of the unrestricted market this offseason.
Multiple reports have indicated that the Kings are signing the former Minnesota Wild veteran winger Mats Zuccarello to a one-year deal on Wednesday morning (July 1). Chris Johnston reported that the deal is expected to be for $1 million in average annual value plus incentives.
Mats Zuccarello's one-year deal addresses one of the Los Angeles Kings' biggest needs in the top six
Emily Kaplan and Pierre LeBrun were the first to report the news on Wednesday morning that the Kings signed Zuccarello to a one-year contract.
In this past season with the Wild, Zuccarello scored 15 goals, 39 assists, and 54 total points in 59 games played. He was also productive in the postseason, scoring two goals and nine total points in eight games played for the Wild in two rounds this spring.
This news comes after the Kings have been very busy on Day 1 of the free agent window this offseason, including signing veterans Corey Perry and Erik Haula in the forward group and defenseman Erik Gustafsson on the blue line.
Zuccarello is a really good signing that could bring a lot of value and fill a roster need in the forward group for Holland and the Kings this offseason. The 38-year-old winger has consistently produced double-digit goals and over 50 points in this past few seasons for the Wild.
He gives the Kings a legitimate proven playmaker who can play in the top-six forward lines, while still giving Los Angeles the necessary cap space to go out and get another high-impact player on the blue line or at the center position this offseason.
While other veteran signings could carry significant long-term risk with their contracts, this move does check a lot of boxes for the Kings. The one-year commitment to Zuccarello limits the downside of this deal while giving the Kings another proven offensive playmaker this upcoming season.
If Zuccarello continues to produce anywhere near the level he has over the past couple of seasons, this could be a great value signing on Day 1 of free agency for the Kings.
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