Report: Mats Zuccarello wants to stay with the Stars

Mats Zuccarello would love to remain a member of the Dallas Stars but he is content to wait for the team to make roster decisions this offseason. Matthew DeFranks of the Dallas News spoke with Zuccarello about his desire to stay with the Stars:

Mats Zuccarello: “This is my team now. We’ll see what’s going on. I’m kind of a guy when someone believes in you and wants you, I usually like that. We’ll see.”

— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) May 9, 2019

Zuccarello is a pending free agent this summer and previously carried a cap hit of 4.5 million per season when he signed a 4 year deal with the New York Rangers in 2015. The 31-year-old center had put up 37 points in 46 games with the Rangers prior to being dealt to the Stars at the deadline.  Zuccarello was only able to play in 2 regular season games with the Stars after the trade due to a broken arm injury. In those 2 games he put up 3 points and when he returned to the Stars lineup in the playoffs he posted 11 points in 13 games.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post does not believe that Zuccarello will make a return to New York in free agency this summer.

He believes that there are some hurt feelings from Zuccarello towards the Rangers management and if Zuccarello does sign with the Stars this offseason, the Rangers will receive their 2020 first round pick as compensation.

The Dallas Stars will have cap space to work with this summer as Jason Spezza at 7.5 million and Marc Methot at 4.9 million will most likely not be brought back. Zuccarello was a great fit in his time with the Stars, especially with his postseason production of 11 points in 13 games. Will the Stars bring back Zuccarello? Will he end up back with the Blue Shirts? Or do we see him landing somewhere else in free agency?