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Minnesota Wild: Could Jason Zucker Be Traded?

By Danny Lambert |
Feb 17, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Minnesota Wild left wing Jason Zucker (16) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Minnesota Wild won 3-5. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Minnesota Wild left wing Jason Zucker (16) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Minnesota Wild won 3-5. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

After a tough season in 2015-16, Jason Zucker heads into this offseason as an RFA looking to re-sign with the Minnesota Wild.  As the team formulates plans to improve their personnel, Zucker could find himself being moved to facilitate those upgrades.

Last season was a though season for virtually all the players of the Minnesota Wild lineup.  Lots of players had down years that seemed to mirror the team’s issues with putting the puck in the net and finishing games.  In most cases the Wild have no choice but to chalk it up to a bad year and hope the player comes back better this upcoming season.  With money, time, and other energies invested in a player the team often has no choice but to put that player back out on the ice and hope for the best.

In the case of players entering free-agent status this offseason, that argument changes a bit.  The Wild no longer have to invest anything else into a player in that situation if they so choose, and in the case of an RFA the team even has an asset to recapitalize via trade if they choose to part ways with the player.

Jason Zucker’s production last season was down to say the least.  Compared to his 21 goal performance in the 2014-15 season, Zucker player in more games in 2015-16 yet ended up scoring almost half as many goals at 13 goals tallied.  When John Torchetti took over the team in mid-February questions even began to surface about his abilities in the two-way game, his overall hockey sense, and even his level of effort was questioned.

The Wild have about $10 million in cap space for free-agents this summer.  With lots of players already vying for an extension and with the Wild looking to add a marque forward in free-agency or via a trade, Zucker could find himself very expendable as the Wild drill down their plans.  As an RFA the team can save money by not signing him, and then they can turn around and trade him to get something in return.

Related Story: Expectations for Jason Zucker

If the Wild are looking to trade Zucker, it will most likely not be in a deal that focuses on him as one of the key players in the deal.  He’s more than likely going to be part of a deal that has another Wild player at the core of the deal.  In plain English his best use in the trade market is as a pile on to a trade to make the difference between a prospective trade partner making a trade and saying no to a trade.

Feb 26, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker (16) celebrates his goal during the third period against the Calgary Flames at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Flames 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker (16) celebrates his goal during the third period against the Calgary Flames at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Flames 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

In the trade market right now many of the projected forward targets of the Wild are starting to seem a bit more expensive than previously thought.  For example in the case of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins there is no doubt that the Oilers are shopping him for defense, and while the Wild have that defense it’s rumored that players like Jonas Brodin or Matt Dumba by themselves are not enough for Edmonton.  If you add Zucker to a Brodin or Dumba trade, he is certainly makes enough talent to match the projected price for Nugent-Hopkins and could be the difference between a deal getting done and one not getting done.

One other scenario that could see Zucker moved is If the Wild decide to trade for a draft pick to add to their depleted 2016 draft cupboard.  With teams out there having in some cases three picks in the second and third rounds a player like Zucker could easily be moved for one of those picks.  Even as an RFA he represents the value of at least a third round pick because of his potential.  Many teams would gamble a third rounder just to see if Zucker can get back over the 20 goal mark because in the end it’s actually not much to lose especially if the team has two more picks in that round.

Next: Trading for Second or Third Round Pick is Possible

There’s still a very good chance the Wild will re-sign and keep Zucker.  But it would be a mistake on the team’s part not to entertain offers for him.  If he were coming off a career year, there would be no question that the Wild would re-sign him and would be more than happy to do so.  However, with tough decisions ahead to improve the team, trading Zucker could be a hard yet important step to improving the lineup.

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