Mats Zuccarello, who never quite fit on John Tortorella's team over two years, and when he did have chances, couldn't stick, has signed a widely-expected deal with the KHL. The team is Mettalurg Magnitogorsk, and the terms are for a year with an option and a NHL out clause, I'm told.
Zuccarello, an RFA with a $1.75 million salary, probably knew he wasn't going to be qualified even before suffering a fractured wrist blocking a shot against Buffalo on March 23, a break that sidelined him for eight weeks, and started looking. Some NHL team might take a chance next season, you never know, but when he was shopped this year, no takers.
In the fold is Oscar Lindberg, a two-way center who was 5-9-14 in 41 games for Skelleftea in the Swedish Elite League. He's 20 and was acquired from the Coyotes last May for prospect Ethan Werek. Phoenix had drafted him in the second round.
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Tomorrow, I'll be in Newark, where I was on Wednesday and today catching up with the Devils and Kings for Game 2. So if you're interested, I'll have a story in Newsday (a preview is on newsday.com shortly) on Sunday and may toss up some tweets during the match Saturday. Critical game for the Hell-raisers, but still think the Kings will sip from the Cup.
