Rangers extend Zuccarello

Mar 2, 2015 - 11:30 PM New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Ending days of speculation ahead of Monday's trade deadline, the New York Rangers and forward Mats Zuccarello have agreed to a contract extension.

No details were disclosed by the club, but the Daily News reported on Monday that the new deal is worth $18 million over four years and includes a full no-trade clause in the first season. His salary and average annual value against the cap for the duration of the pact are an identical $4.5 million, according to the paper.

Zuccarello was reportedly set to be traded before the deadline if a new deal could not be reached.

The diminutive 27-year-old native of Norway has 12 goals and 23 assists in 59 games this season. He made his NHL debut with New York in 2010-11 and has produced 42 goals with 86 assists for 128 points in 203 NHL games.

Zuccarello has also compiled six goals and 14 assists in 38 playoff games, which includes 13 points (5G, 8A) in 25 appearances in New York's failed Stanley Cup bid which ended in a five-game defeat to the Kings in last year's Finals.