The Minnesota Wild and free-agent forward Mats Zuccarello have agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract on the first day of NHL free agency.
Zuccarello, 31, split time between the New York Rangers and Dallas Stars last season, accumulating 40 points (12 goals, 28 assists). He’s the all-time leading Norwegian-born scorer in the NHL. with 355 career points and played for the Norwegian national team at the 2010 and 2014 winter Olympics.
He posted those numbers despite playing in only 47 games because of injuries. In the playoffs, he was healthy and tied for the team lead with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) and helped the Stars reach the second round of the playoffs.
“Mats is a very competitive, high-energy player,” said Wild GM Paul Fenton in a release. “He brings a high level of skill and character to our lineup and we’re very excited to add him to our team.”
Minnesota has also agreed with Ryan Hartman on a two-year, $3.8 million contract.
Both Zuccarello and Hartman play right wing.
Michael Russo, who covers the Wild for the Athletic (paywall), describes Zuccarello as a player with “a brilliant mind” and “tremendous vision,” but will need to play alongside a scorer because he’s more of a playmaker.
Russo on Hartman: “Good wheels, physical, antagonist. Just has a way of getting under your skin. He’ll probably kill penalties in Minnesota.”
