Like many other players of his size, some felt Zuccarello would never turn out to be anything more than a bottom six type player—one who would be pushed around and never had a chance to contribute offensively. Someone you would just be wasting your time on deploying on a nightly basis.
Boy, was everybody wrong.
After leaving the Rangers for a stint in the KHL during the 2012-13 season, Zuccarello would make a triumphant return to New York and help lead the way to so many fond memories. His return just felt right. It was almost like a breath of fresh air had returned to the lineup, one that helps describe Zuccarello to a tee.