5 NHL teams that should trade for Jason Zucker

Pittsburgh Penguins

If not for Phil Kessel’s ability to void a trade, and the Penguins were in line to get Zucker last offseason in one of Paul Fenton’s final moves. Now, with Jake Guentzel (shoulder) out for the season, it’s no surprise Zucker is on the radar again. Josh Yohe of The Athletic recently reported general manager Jim Rutherford’s focus is on upgrading the team’s forward group and he’s open to anything, including rental players in an effort to win now.

Zucker is, of course, not a rental player, with the years left on his contract. But the Penguins are clearly interested, and his limited no-trade clause may not even include being able to block a move to Pittsburgh. Via Cap Friendly, the Penguins have $6.3 million in deadline cap space, so they can take on the remainder of Zucker’s $5.5 million for this year with little trouble.

Zucker alongside Sidney Crosby is surely an enticing prospect for the Penguins, as he has been productive with far lesser teammates around him in Minnesota. Wild general manager Bill Guerin’s familiarity with what Pittsburgh has in terms of prospects, since he spent eight seasons in their front office, should only help foster a suitable deal for both sides. The idea of taking back Alex Galchenyuk’s expiring contract would surely be a viable cost of doing business for Guerin and the Wild if it meant getting an extra first-round pick or a slightly better prospect.

Until the Penguins acquire another forward, or it gets out they are no longer in on him, they are the most likely destination for Zucker.

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