Veteran winger Jason Zucker has been a nice addition for the Sabres this season and he is on pace for one of his best offensive years. As a pending unrestricted free agent, Buffalo will soon have a decision to make in terms of flipping him by the March 7th trade deadline or trying to sign him to a contract extension. Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reported earlier this week that their preference is the latter as the two sides recently held preliminary discussions about a new deal.
The 33-year-old played on a one-year contract last season, splitting time between Arizona and Nashville. However, he was only able to collect 14 goals and 18 assists in 69 regular season games between the two sides which didn’t help his market value heading into free agency last summer. As a result, Zucker ultimately settled for another one-year pact in July, signing for $5MM.
That deal has worked out well for both sides. Zucker has already surpassed his numbers from last season, putting up 18 goals and 23 assists in 52 games. His 41 points put him fourth on the team in scoring but only two points behind Rasmus Dahlin for a share of second place. Barring injury, Zucker appears to be well on his way toward recording his seventh career season of at least 20 goals.
Last month, Zucker acknowledged that he’d be interested in extending his stay with Buffalo. Speculatively, he’d want a multi-year agreement this time around and according to Lysowski, that appears to be something that’s on the table. With a $7.5MM jump in the Upper Limit of the salary cap coming next season, Zucker now should be able to land a small raise on his current price tag as well.
Lysowski adds that GM Kevyn Adams’ preference is to not sell over the next three weeks despite their placement at the bottom of the Eastern Conference so clearly, his preference is to get a new agreement in place. However, it appears that if Zucker prefers to move on and land with a contender, they will grant that request and then attempt to bring him back in the summer. In the meantime, they have three more weeks to see if contract discussions can yield a new deal.
He’s 33 having a great year and you’re going nowhere fast. Trade him.
They can always resign him in the offseason. This is why Adams is terrible at asset management.
How often does that happen though
Yeah. You sure as hell don’t give him a multiyear EXTENSION, with a raise to boot.
For what? Another bottom 20s 1st? A so so prospect? Both? A prospect worth a damn was on a contender that contender would not trade him. Buffalo is the youngest team in hockey in need of high end play veterans. Zucker will come in cheaper than most FA forwards this off-season. I am happy Adams recognizes this. Extend Zucker.
Finally, a response that takes the Sabres actual status into account, and not a rush to condemn everything they have done over the past 14 years.
They’re extremely young and loaded with more young assets than they can ever use. This is a team crying out for veteran leadership. Zucker likes it in Buffalo; at least well enough to keep cashing checks for another 2 – 3 years. Adams owes the team and the fans a team-building block, and that’s exactly what Zucker is.
Otherwise, negotiating is not the same as committing. It’s more akin to due diligence. And for this people cast aspersions on him?
This is not an “aspersion” — he’s 33 years old. This is not an “aspersion” either: he’s been oft-injured in recent years. Neither is this: he’s having a career season. And it’s also not an “aspersion” that his value’s just going to decline, or that by the time Buffalo compiles a genuinely contenting team, Zucker’s going to be ready for the boneyard. The “productive” veterans you want around are 30, not 33.
Context: I was referring to peoples’ comments about Kevyn Adams. They have been extremely divisive – in fact, they’ve heaped derision on KA.
Zucker is at an age where is productivity may be expected to begin to decline. But he’s far (FAR) from an age when he’ll be an old geezer. He’s also at an age where is experience can be expected to contribute significantly to the Sabres’ cohesiveness. That, IMHO, is the great missing link for this team.
The Sabres are not going to get a first for Zucker, even if they did the asset would be years away from contributing to the team’s turnaround. I hope they retain a player that has precisely the traits they need.
You have to trade him lol.
Nope. Zucker is the way better Okposo this team has needed the last few seasons. Youngest team in hockey. Buffalo needs veterans like Zucker.
Not trading a 33 year old having a career year (2.9 pts/60) on an expiring deal is complete madness. If Terry isn’t going to move on from Adams then he should sell the team. What a directionless franchise.
Disagree. Adams had to do a new rebuild since the players from the first rebuild 9 years overall all wanted to jump ship and throw in the towel. Youngest team in hockey. Buffalo needs high end play veterans like Zucker to help this young team go through their final growing pains.
I think Zucker’s a fine player but a high end veteran? I dunno about that.
Insulating young players with experienced leadership is important, agreed. But Adams can trade Zucker at the deadline for assets and still sign veterans in free agency.
The Sabres are Zucker’s 4th different team in under 2 calendar years. Players like him are always available.
They’re not always available to Buffalo. And many will still refuse to sign there when they observe the perpetual floundering. Make no mistake, Zucker possesses good talent, but his influence in the locker room is more important than his on-ice production.
There are never any guarantees, but he is a known entity that’s willing to stay (happily). And he has the traits the team needs more of, not one less of v
Clueless Kevyn!!!
Impatient fan who is not properly blaming the previous 2 GMs or players.
Just move them to Toronto already.
trade for a draft pick . package that draft pick with another pick to move up in draft increasing odds of hitting on a star . sign vet ufa in summer to replace zucker
Show me a team or 2 during the last 10 NHL drafts that traded down from a top 10 or even a top 5 pick? Buffalo doesn’t need another late 20s drafted prospect that will take 3+ years to develop.
They don’t need but asset collection is real. Turn short term value into long is what’s best for the franchise.
You need some veterans on this team that can be productive. Detroit is not a rebuilding team in the same way as Buffalo is. Short term assets into long term? Buffalo already has a deep prospect pool. Take Kulich as a example of a #28 overall pick. It has taken him until now to make the roster. Buffalo also has Rosen, Ostlund, Helenius etc binding their time in Rochester or overseas. Buffalo needs Zucker and what he can bring to the team now.
Yes, you’ve been saying this several times over; we heard you the first time. Right now, despite Zucker’s veteran leadership, the Sabres are the last place team in the whole conference. He’s certainly having a good season, and it’s not moving the needle one bit.
Please! Do not chide someone for repeating a point when they’re in a crowd tripping over each other to repeat tired tropes.