Mats Zuccarello
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IN THE MATTER OF SALARY ARBITRATION BETWEEN: MATS ZUCCARELLO -AND- THE NEW YORK RANGERS SUBMISSION ON BEHALF OF MATS ZUCCARELLO TEAM 32 I. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ....................................................................................... 1 A. Well-Rounded and Impactful Player ...................................................................................... 1 B. Significant Contributor to Team Success ............................................................................... 2 C. Shootout Specialist ................................................................................................................. 3 II. VALID COMPARABLE PLAYERS ........................................................................................ 4 A. Mikael Backlund – Calgary Flames ....................................................................................... 4 B. Matt Beleskey – Anaheim Ducks ........................................................................................... 6 C. Cam Atkinson – Columbus Blue Jackets ............................................................................... 7 III. CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................... 8 I. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW Pursuant to section 12.9 of the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement,1 this brief will analyze the performance and contributions of the New York Rangers’ Mats Zuccarello. Despite playing in a relatively small number of games over the past three seasons, Mr. Zuccarello has had a considerable impact on the Rangers, in large part due to his combination of speed, skill, tenacity and defensive awareness. As such, Mr. Zuccarello respectfully submits he is entitled to an award above the $1.15 million midpoint figure—specifically, $1.5 million per season. A. Well-Rounded and Impactful Player Mr. Zuccarello has spent a limited amount of time in the NHL. Playing in only 67 games over his career, there is not a large sample size to discuss.2 However, despite this limited number of games, Mr. Zuccarello has established himself as an impactful NHL player. Last year, after returning from Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Mr. Zuccarello stepped into the lineup and provided the Rangers with an offensive spark, recording 3 goals and 5 assists for a total of 8 points in only 15 regular season games.3 Over his career, Mr. Zuccarello has averaged more than half a point per game (34 points in 67 games).4 He has also proven he can produce at the most difficult and important time of the year—the playoffs. During last year’s playoff run, Mr. Zuccarello was second on the Rangers in scoring with a total of 7 points in 12 games, more than the likes of Rick Nash, Brad Richards, Ryan Callahan and Derek Stephan. Mr. Zuccarello was also tied for first in powerplay assists and powerplay points.5 This impact is even more impressive when considering it was at the expense of two very good, but different teams. First was the Washington Capitals, an offensive juggernaut led by 3-time MVP Alex Ovechkin, and 1 NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, 2005, s.12. 2 ww.nhl.com/ice/playerstats 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 5 Ibid. 1 superstars Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green. The following round was against the Boston Bruins, a big and physical defensive-minded team led by Zdeno Chara, a winner of the Norris Trophy for best defenceman, and Patrice Bergeron, a winner of the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward.6 Mr. Zuccarello has also proven he is more than just a point producer. Despite his small stature, his game has a physical edge. In 15 regular season games last season, Mr. Zuccarello registered 27 hits. He then registered another 22 in the playoffs.7 Furthermore, his defensive astuteness led to a plus-10 rating, a noteworthy accomplishment in only 15 games.8 Likewise, in three partial seasons in the NHL, Mr. Zuccarello has never been a minus player. Mr. Zuccarllo’s defensive awareness is also evident by his 15 blocked shots last season, second most amongst Rangers’ forwards on a per game basis, behind only captain Ryan Callahan, who led all NHL forwards in blocked shots by a staggering 15.9 Although this sacrifice can sometimes lead to injuries, which was the case in March 2012 when Mr. Zuccarrello broke his wrist while blocking a shot and was forced to miss the playoffs, it undoubtedly adds to the defensive effectiveness of any player.10 Given his contributions at both the offensive and defensive end, Mr. Zuccarello submits he is entitled to an award greater than the $1.15 million midpoint figure. B. Significant Contributor to Team Success Despite his short time in the NHL, Mr. Zuccarello has had a dramatic impact on the success of the New York Rangers. For example, after Mr. Zuccarello returned to the lineup on March 30, 2013, the Rangers went 10-4-1 in their final 15 games.11 This was in stark contrast to 6 http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=62242 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 9 www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats 10 http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2012-03-23/mats-zuccarello-injury-new-york-rangers-john-tortorella- pittsburgh-penguins 11 www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats 2 their season up to that point, where the team recorded a disappointing 16-14-3 record.12 This substantial improvement can be accredited in large part to an increase in team scoring, something Mr. Zuccarello’s puck-handling skills and offensive creativity undoubtedly helped. For instance, before Mr. Zuccarello rejoined the team, the Rangers were averaging 2.36 goals per game.13 This total would have been the fourth worst in the NHL at year’s end, behind only Nashville, New Jersey and Florida—all non-playoff teams. After Mr. Zuccarello returned to the lineup, the Rangers’ average rose to an impressive 3.47 goals per game, a figure higher than that of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who led the league in scoring with a 3.44 goals per game average.14 C. Shootout Specialist When shootouts were added to the NHL following the 2005 lockout, teams were forced to consider another skill when assembling their rosters. What quickly became apparent was the fact the NHL’s best offensive players were not necessarily productive in a shootout, as evinced by the career conversion rates of Jarome Iginla (25%), Martin St. Louis (21.9%) and Jaromir Jagr (25%).15 Mr. Zuccarello’s career 50% conversion rate (6 of 12) is bettered by only four active players with at least 10 attempts.16 Furthermore, of his six goals, four have been game-deciding goals, an incredibly high ratio and a testament to Mr. Zuccarello’s ability to handle pressure. With the increasing competitiveness of the NHL in recent years, the extra point available in the shootout in extremely important. For example, last season the Rangers finished 6th in the Eastern Conference with 56 points. However, the difference between the 5th place Toronto Maple Leafs (57 points) and the 8th place New York Islanders (55 points) was incredibly minute.17 Two 12 Ibid. 13 Ibid. 14 Ibid. 15 http://www.nhl.com/ice/shootoutstats 16 Ibid. 17 www.nhl.com/ice/standings 3 shootout goals over the course of the season could have made the difference between four places in the standings. An even better example of the immense value of Mr. Zuccarello’s shootout ability is evident when examining the Rangers’ 2010-2011 season. That year the team finished 8th in the Eastern Conference, securing the final playoff spot by only two points over the 9th place Carolina Hurricanes. When the standings are examined further, it is clear that shootouts were a big reason for this two-point difference, as the Rangers won 9 of their 12 shootouts, whereas the Hurricanes won only 5 of 10.18 These nine shootout wins were only one behind the league lead.19 Mr. Zuccarello was a predominate reason for the Rangers’ success, scoring 5 goals on 9 attempts, tying for the team lead in shootout goals (5) and game deciding goals (3), despite playing only half the season.20 The Rangers’ shootout victories not only gave them a chance to win the Stanley Cup, it also earned an estimated $2 million in profit from their two guaranteed home games, plus another $500,000 for each playoff game aired on the MSG Network.21 II. VALID COMPARABLE PLAYERS A. Mikael Backlund – Calgary Flames Finding Valid Comparable Players for Mr. Zuccarello is difficult, as very few arbitration eligible players have managed to have such a dramatic impact on the outcome of their team’s games while playing in the limited number he did. One possible comparable is Mikael Backlund of the Calgary Flames, who signed a two-year deal worth $1.5 million per year in July.22 Comparing statistics from last season, both players’ platform year, and their careers in general, reveals many similarities. For example, in 32 games last season, Mr. Backlund scored 16 points, for an average of 0.5 points per game. In 15 games, Mr. Zuccarello scored 8 points, for an 18 www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats 19 Ibid. 20 www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats 21 http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110413/FREE/110419934 22 www.capgeek.com 4 average of 0.53 points per game.23 Mr. Backlund’s highest point total came in 2010-2011, when he recorded 25. That same year, Mr. Zuccarello recorded a career-high 23 points. However, Mr. Backlund accomplished the feat in 71 games, whereas Mr. Zuccarello recorded his career high while playing only 42 games.24 When examining their careers as a whole, Mr. Backlund has a points per game average of 0.36, whereas Mr. Zuccarello has a considerably higher points per game average of 0.51.25 Furthermore, over his career Mr. Zuccarello has amassed a plus-13 rating, whereas Mr. Backlund has a minus-10 rating.26 There are also differences when comparing how much and in what capacity each player is utilized by their respective clubs. For example, last season Mr. Backlund played an average of 15:07 per game, much less than Mr. Zuccarello’s average of 16:25.27 This difference is more significant when considering the sizeable difference between the number of talented forwards on the playoff-bound Rangers and the lack thereof on the Flames, who finished 13th in the Western Conference.