The Buffalo Sabres Have An Important Decision To Make With Jason

When the Buffalo Sabres signed veteran forward Jason Zucker to a one-year, $5-million contract last summer, the move was seen as a low-risk, high-reward gamble.

The expectation was that he would provide leadership and secondary scoring while serving as a potential trade chip if the Sabres failed to contend for a playoff spot.

In mid-January, while speaking to The Athletic, Zucker said he’d love to sign a contract extension.

“Right now, that’s not something that is in my control,” Zucker said. “For me personally, it’s something I would be very interested in. If that time comes, we can have that conversation.”

Now, as the 4 Nations Face-Off arrives and Buffalo sits 12 points out of a wild-card spot, it’s fair to ask if the Sabres should keep him or trade him before the NHL trade deadline.

Zucker’s Impact On The Sabres

At 33 years old, Zucker brings a level of experience that Buffalo’s young core lacks – the Sabres still have the youngest lineup in the NHL, according to eliteprospects.com.

Known for his tenacity and scoring ability, he is a consistent presence in the lineup and appears poised to hit the 20-goal mark for the sixth time in his NHL career. His 41 points are tied for the fourth-most on the team.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff recently said that Zucker has been better than he thought, and Ruff had high expectations.

GM Kevyn Adams has already expressed interest in re-signing Zucker, meeting with his agent during a recent road trip. Zucker is a pending UFA this summer, and as the Sabres try to turn a corner, his ability to produce and mentor younger players could make him a valuable asset for a team that has struggled to attract proven veterans.