The Buffalo Sabres have taken significant steps to reinforce their roster as they signed forward Jason Zucker to a two-year contract extension valued at $9.5 million. This deal, reported by TSN's Darren Dreger on March 7, 2025, reflects the team's commitment to securing veteran talent amid their efforts to rebuild.
This season has been particularly fruitful for Zucker, who has made 54 appearances for the Sabres, amassing 18 goals and contributing 26 assists, which brings him to 44 total points. With these numbers, he ranks fifth on the team, showcasing his impact even after sidelined for five games due to a lower-body injury earlier this season.
Initially drafted 59th overall by the Minnesota Wild back in 2010, Zucker has had quite the career. He has played 751 games across the NHL, suiting up for teams including the Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and Nashville Predators. Over this extensive career, he has registered 214 goals and 200 assists, totaling 414 points. Zucker's best season came during the 2017-18 campaign when he achieved career highs with 64 points, thanks to his 33 goals and 31 assists.
This signing is particularly significant as Zucker was due to enter free agency after this season. Previously, he penned a one-year, $5 million deal with the Sabres last summer. With the NHL trade deadline looming, the Sabres were eager to keep Zucker off the market entirely, particularly considering his strong performance this season. "Zucker has shown impressive stats this season and has been instrumental to the team," Dreger noted following the announcement of the extension.
Though he briefly faced trade talks as one of Buffalo’s top assets this season, Zucker's willingness to stay with the team suggests he values the stability and relationship he's formed with the Sabres organization. His decision aligns with the larger trend of many teams opting to lock down key players before the trade deadline, ensuring they retain valuable talents during their rebuilding phase.
His performance has also been integral to the Sabres’ power play, where he has contributed nine goals and seven assists, emphasizing his value beyond just regular scoring. This experience is invaluable as the Sabres look to improve their standings; they're currently positioned 24-31-6, sitting last in the Eastern Conference with 54 points. This year's performance marks the Sabres' longest playoff drought, as they haven't qualified since 2011.
On March 5, just two days prior, the Sabres also extended Jordan Greenway, adding to the roster's depth with another two-year contract at $4 million per season. Greenway has managed to tally three goals and five assists this season, showing potential for improvement alongside Zucker's established presence.
The extension for Zucker reflects the Sabres’ strategy of building around experienced players who can not only contribute on the ice but also help mentor younger teammates. Having played through different phases of the NHL and gathered international experience, including gold and bronze medals at the World Juniors and triumphs with Team USA at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships, Zucker brings more than just scoring ability; he embodies resilience and sophistication gained from playing under various circumstances.
Fans of the Sabres can only hope this signing will mark the beginning of brighter days for the franchise. With about $24 million remaining under the salary cap for next season and a promising possibility of adding more quality veterans to the roster, the organization is poised to make strides moving forward.
While Zucker’s tenure with the Sabres started off with uncertainty post-injury, this commitment certainly solidifies his standing with the organization as they continue on their mission to ascend the ranks of the NHL. The coming seasons could potentially usher the team back to playoff contention, something not experienced for over ten years, invigorated by the contributions of players like Jason Zucker.