The New York newspapers already are calling him "Frodo from Modo."

Also known as the Norwegian Hobbit, 5-foot-7 Mats Zuccarello Aasen, a 22-year-old scorer from Oslo who won MVP honors last season in the Swedish Elite League, agreed to a two-year contract worth $1.8 million with the Rangers on May 26.

"It just seems like the best opportunity for me," Zuccarello Aasen told Newsday. "The Rangers told me I would have a good chance to make the team and that's what I plan to do. I'm going back to Sweden to train with MoDo and then come to New York for camp."

In 90 games over two seasons with Modo, Zuccarello Aasen netted 35 goals and totaled 104 points, including a league-best 64 points in 55 appearances last season.

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