Stars acquire Zuccarello from Rangers for two picks

The Dallas Stars acquired New York Rangers left winger Mats Zuccarello for conditional second- and third-round picks on Saturday evening, the Rangers announced. Both picks can become first-rounders based on conditions, per reports. The second-rounder will turn into a first if the Stars win two playoff series this postseason, while the third-rounder will become a first if Zuccarello re-signs with Dallas.

The 31-year-old Norwegian, who was held out of Saturday's win over New Jersey in anticipation of a possible trade, is in the final year of a four-year, $18 million contract and can hit free agency this summer. The Rangers will reportedly retain a quarter of his $4.5 million cap hit and salary for this season. Zuccarello has 11 goals and 26 assists in 46 games this season. Before going without a point in his last two games, he had racked up 22 (seven goals, 15 assists) in the prevoius 14 contests.

The ninth-year veteran has spent his entire NHL career with the Rangers since coming over from the Swedish Elite League in 2010. He has 113 goals and 239 assists in 509 games. His best season came in 2015-16, when he set career highs in goals (26) and points (61). The Stars were shut out by the Hurricanes 3-0 earlier Saturday, and Dallas plays again Sunday at the Chicago Blackhawks, who sit four points behind Dallas in the race for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

The Stars and Avalanche currently hold the final two spots, with both at 65 points. --Field Level Media