New York Rangers Report: Mats Zuccarello Is NOT Heading Back to Sweden (UPDATE)

Please Skip to ending for Update!

Multiple media outlets have reported that Norwegian forward Mats Zuccarello, who was signed to a two-year deal by the Rangers this summer, may be heading back to Sweden to continue his hockey career.

Zuccarello was signed by the Rangers over the summer, and reported to training camp in hopes of making the NHL. The Rangers sent Zuccarello down to Hartford after he was one of the final cuts. Zuccarello has not been given much playing time in Hartford, as he was placed on the fourth line.

The first to report this news was a Swedish website, and it stated that Rangers general manager Glen Sather has been in ongoing talks with a representative from MODO Hockey (Mats Zuccarello played for them last season in the Swedish Elite League) about possibly sending Zuccarello back to Sweden.

The same report also states that Glen Sather told the representative, Markus Naslund, that they could "take him back," and that the Rangers "have no plans" for Zuccarello.

Rangers beat writer Jesse Spector has also acknowledged that these reports may be true.

If Zuccarello does return to Sweden, his NHL rights will still be owned by the New York Rangers, but a return would not be likely. The Rangers have practice today at noon, and more information on the topic is expected then.

I will update this article when something new comes up.

UPDATE

Jesse Spector has now learned that the reports from Sweden are false, and that Zuccarello will remain with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and part of the Rangers organization.