Winger Jason Zucker has become an integral part of the Buffalo Sabres in his first season with the club, contributing not only on the ice, but also as a veteran leader in the locker room. On Wednesday, the 33-year-old forward was announced as the Sabres nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
Each NHL club’s chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association nominates a player that “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey". That group is narrowed down to three finalists, with the winner being announced during the postseason.
"(Jason is) a veteran guy that proves that with effort, doing the right thing, (being) prepared to play every game, bringing it every game....those are good guys to have around your players." Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said on Tuesday.
Zucker has put up his best offensive numbers (21 goals, 30 assists in 68 games) since 2017-18. The veteran winger has played for Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Nashville over his 11-year NHL career before joining the Sabres last July on a one-year, $5 million deal. Instead of moving him at the trade deadline, GM Kevyn Adams re-signed him to a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension because of his leadership abilities and positive influence on the young club.
“I believe in the group. It's been a fun challenge for me being one of the older guys on the team, it’s just been a lot of fun to be a part of it. Obviously, this year didn’t go the way we wanted to, but that doesn't mean we didn’t make progress. (Re-signing with the Sabres)is a little bit of unfinished business kind of thing.” Zucker said last month. “I knew my focus was always trying to get something done to stay here. I was just glad to get it done.”
