The Mats Zuccarello trade has been a tough one for Rangers fans to endure.
Zuccarello had played his entire nine-year career with New York before he was dealt to the Dallas Stars on Saturday evening. He was a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden who had been named an alternate captain on the team before the 2018-19 NHL season.
The Rangers lost 6-5 to the Washington Capitals on Sunday afternoon in their first game without Zuccarello. After the game it became even more apparent just how much the team loved their departed teammate.
Zuccarello led the Rangers in points in four of the past five seasons before this year. Skating in 509 total games for the club, he registered 113 goals and 239 assists for 352 points. In 46 contests this season, Zuccarello has 11 goals and 26 points (37 points).
The trading of Zuccarello was part of the Rangers' ongoing efforts to rebuild under head coach David Quinn. Two conditional draft picks came back the other way in the transaction. One of those draft picks could be a first round pick, depending on how the Stars do in the playoffs and depending on whether they opt to re-sign Zuccarello when he hits free agency this summer.