Mats Zuccarello denies report he's signed in KHL

It took less than 24 hours for the New York Rangers offseason to become interesting.

Early Saturday morning a report surfaced from IIHF communications director Szymon Szemberg that forward Mats Zuccarello, a restricted free agent, had agreed to a two-year contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL.

The team even mentioned the agreement on its website.

The timing was a bit of a surprise seeing as how the Rangers were just eliminated from the playoffs on Friday, and that would have certainly been a quick turnaround.

Not long after the reports came out Zuccarello's agent said that nothing had been signed at this point. Zuccarello followed that up by Tweeting that it's all rumors and he doesn't know where he is going to play next season. That came after he thanked Rangers fans and said that he hopes to see them again next season.



Zuccarello has spent parts of the past two seasons playing for the Rangers and has scored eight goals to go with 18 assists in 52 games. He has quite a bit of playmaking ability and offensive potential, but hasn't really seemed to be a great fit in New York. He also hasn't really been able to get a consistent opportunity.

He missed time this season due to a broken wrist that he suffered back in March, and did not appear in a single playoff game for the Rangers.

For more hockey news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnHockey and @agretz on Twitter and like us on Facebook.