The New York Rangers and forward Mats Zuccarello have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $1.15 million. With the pact, the two sides were able to avoid an arbitration meeting that was set for Wednesday in Toronto.
The Norwegian forward is the 21st restricted free agent that filed for arbitration earlier in the summer but was able to strike a deal with his team prior to the hearing.
Zuccarello returned to the Rangers in last year's lockout-shortened season after a stint in Russia. Zuccarello played in 15 games last season, scoring three goals and netting five assists for a total of eight points. In 12 playoff games last season, Zuccarello registered seven points.
The Rangers will now have about $2.1 million in cap space for the 2013-14 season after the team decided not to use its compliance buyout on Brad Richards this offseason. After re-signing Zuccarello, forward Derek Stepan is the only restricted free agent that the Rangers haven't signed.
The NHL allows for teams to go over the salary cap by 10 percent during the summer, so the Rangers may go over the cap by resigning Stepan and then make roster moves before the season starts to get back under the cap. was a big boost to the Rangers last season, scoring 18 goals and adding 26 assists for a total of 44 points.
Zuccarello, 25, put up 23 points for the Rangers back in the 2010-11 season and brought much-needed depth to their roster during last year's playoff run that saw the team fall to the Boston Bruins in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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