Jason
Zucker
L · BUF · Offensive · Excellent
- PAL
- 85
- WAR
- 1.8
- Value
- 78
- PTS
- 45
2025-26№ 76 / 615
Jason Zucker (Buffalo Sabres) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Jason Zucker
#17LPlays: Left wing · 13% of faceoffs
Buffalo Sabres
HEIGHT : 180 cm · WEIGHT : 91 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : January 15, 1992 · Newport Beach, United States
Drafted : 2010 · MIN · round 2, pick #59
Contract : $4,750,000 · 2025-26 → 2026-27 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $1,000,000M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Buffalo Sabres | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2025-26 | Buffalo Sabres | 62 | 24 | 21 | 45 | 23 |
| 2024-25 | Buffalo Sabres | 73 | 21 | 32 | 53 | 57 |
| 2023-24 | Nashville Predators | 18 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 23 |
| 2023-24 | Arizona Coyotes | 51 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 58 |
| 2022-23 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 78 | 27 | 21 | 48 | 47 |
| 2021-22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 41 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 15 |
| 2020-21 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 38 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 21 |
| 2019-20 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 15 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Minnesota Wild | 45 | 14 | 15 | 29 | 19 |
| 2018-19 | Minnesota Wild | 81 | 21 | 21 | 42 | 28 |
| 2017-18 | Minnesota Wild | 82 | 33 | 31 | 64 | 44 |
| 2016-17 | Minnesota Wild | 79 | 22 | 25 | 47 | 30 |
| 2015-16 | Minnesota Wild | 71 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 20 |
| 2014-15 | Minnesota Wild | 51 | 21 | 5 | 26 | 18 |
| 2013-14 | Minnesota Wild | 21 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| 2012-13 | Minnesota Wild | 20 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| 2011-12 | Minnesota Wild | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| NHL totals | 839 | 242 | 227 | 469 | 419 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Buffalo Sabres | 13 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 2023-24 | Nashville Predators | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | Minnesota Wild | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | Minnesota Wild | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2015-16 | Minnesota Wild | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2014-15 | Minnesota Wild | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2012-13 | Minnesota Wild | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 65 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 16 | |
Honours
- 🏆 King Clancy Memorial Trophyonce · 2018-19
Jason Zucker: our analysis
2025-26 season: 62 GP, 24 G, 21 A, 45 PTS, -5 +/-, 15:37 TOI. WAR 1.8 (76th of 615) · PAL 85, excellent.
In 2025-26, Jason Zucker, 34, posts a PAL Rating of 85 out of 100 (excellent), and his WAR of 1.8 ranks 76th among 615 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: shooting (98, among the best in the league), creation (96, among the best in the league) and power play (86, among the best in the league). On the other hand, defense (13, among the weakest in the league) holds him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+3.6); his biggest cost: EV defense (-1.1).
A clear step forward: his PAL went from 71 in 2024-25 to 85; his WAR, though, went from 1.9 to 1.8.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 78 (very good contract) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Jason Zucker's story
Raised in Las Vegas from infancy, Zucker learned the game where ice time was scarce and moved away from home at 15 to join Compuware in Plymouth, Michigan; that early willingness to relocate set the tone for his development. He then spent time in USA Hockey's development program before committing to the University of Denver, where college hockey honed his scoring touch.
Selected 59th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by Minnesota, Zucker remained at Denver to continue his education and play. His two seasons with the Pioneers produced 45 goals and 91 points in 78 games, and he earned WCHA Rookie of the Year honours in 2010–11. Zucker turned pro after 2011–12 and signed his entry-level deal with the Wild on 27 March 2012, making his NHL debut shortly thereafter.
Minnesota was the backdrop for the bulk of his early pro career: stints in the AHL with Houston during the 2012–13 lockout, steady NHL production, and personal milestones such as a career-high 47 points in 2016–17 and reaching 100 NHL goals in October 2018. In July 2018 he signed a five-year extension with the Wild, and the following season he was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and community work.
On 10 February 2020 Zucker was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he spent parts of three seasons and battled through periods affected by injury. As a free agent he signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes on 1 July 2023, was traded to the Nashville Predators at the 8 March 2024 deadline, and then joined the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent on 1 July 2024; he later agreed to a two-year extension with Buffalo on 7 March 2025.
Internationally Zucker represented the United States at the World Junior Championships, claiming gold in 2010 and bronze in 2011. On the ice he is known as a left winger with an offensive instinct—speed and finishing ability that have allowed him to score key goals at every level from college to the NHL.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 12:23
- PP TOI/GP
- 1:14
- SH TOI/GP
- 0:01
- Pts/GP
- 0.13
- EV points
- 0
- Hits
- 9
- Blocks
- 2
- Takeaways
- 2
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 43.8 %
- Off. zone starts
- 36.6 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
33between 14 and 51 (80% range)
- Goals
- 17
- Assists
- 16
- Games
- 60
So far: 1 pts in 8 games. The team has played 17 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.63 pts per game (last season: 0.73).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Trending up
- Points per game: 0.46 in 23-24, 0.73 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 71 → 85
Outlook, age included
↗ Slightly upAge 34: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 80 %
82
Very good
- SK
- Skating
- 67
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 70
- Confidence 84 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 75
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 73
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 76
- Confidence 84 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 84
- Confidence 63 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 75
- Confidence 84 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- 61
- Confidence 40 %
- PA
- Passing
- 83
- Confidence 80 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 90
- Confidence 80 %
- DF
- Defense
- 64
- Confidence 77 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 57
- Confidence 14 %
- EX
- Experience
- 91
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating67
- Top speed (35 %)35.7 · 69
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)3.963 · 67
- Distance /60 (20 %)15.7 · 64
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.2 · 75
ST — Strength70
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)3.547 · 69
- Body mass (50 %)-0.281 · 73
EN — Endurance75
- Ice time per game (45 %)15 · 76
- Total ice time (20 %)946 · 72
- Shift length (15 %)46.4 · 77
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)13.4 · 74
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.641 · 79
DU — Durability73
- Share of games played (100 %)0.806 · 73
CK — Checking76
- Hits /60 (70 %)4.844 · 77
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)3.805 · 76
- Season volume (10 %)4.06 · 72
FG — Fighting84
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)1.12 · 84
DI — Discipline75
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)0.022 · 75
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.726 · 72
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.858 · 78
FO — Faceoffs61
- Faceoff % (85 %)46.7 · 63
- Faceoffs /60 (15 %)13 · 45
PA — Passing83
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.816 · 80
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.548 · 79
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.253 · 88
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)4.993 · 84
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.459 · 74
SC — Scoring90
- Goals /60 (25 %)1.252 · 87
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)1.145 · 89
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.471 · 80
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)2.176 · 89
- xG per shot (10 %)0.086 · 89
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)15.2 · 79
DF — Defense64
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.065 · 65
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.131 · 66
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.767 · 65
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.036 · 75
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-2.324 · 57
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)58.2 · 75
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)1.781 · 64
PS — Penalty shot57
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)24.2 · 46
EX — Experience91
- Career regular-season games (65 %)95
- Career playoff games (25 %)79
- NHL seasons (10 %)94
OV — Overall82
- SC · Scoring (28 %)90
- PA · Passing (22 %)83
- DF · Defense (18 %)64
- SK · Skating (12 %)67
- EN · Endurance (8 %)75
- DI · Discipline (5 %)75
- ST · Strength (4 %)70
- CK · Checking (3 %)76
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 82 | 67 | 90 | 64 |
| 2024-25 | 79 | 71 | 83 | 61 |
| 2023-24 | 79 | 76 | 81 | 66 |
| 2022-23 | 86 | 82 | 87 | 70 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
1.8
wins above replacement
76 of 615
PAL Rating
85/ 100
Performance · Excellent
64 of 476 at the position
Value Rating
78/ 100
Very good contract
4.75 M$ · expected PAL 62
ProfileOffensiveValue comes mostly from offense
- Offense
- 92
- Defense
- 19
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 83
- Creation
- 96
- Shooting
- 98
- Possession
- 58
- Defense
- 13
- Discipline
- 67
- Power play
- 86
- Penalty kill
- 53
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | BUF | 1.8 | 85 | 78 | 4.75 M$ |
| 2024-25 | BUF | 1.9 | 71 | 54 | 5.00 M$ |
| 2023-24 | NSH | 0.7 | 44 | 23 | 5.30 M$ |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 2.0 | 81 | 61 | 5.50 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
78/ 100
Very good
better than 78% of forwards, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
94/ 100
Elite
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
28/ 100
Below average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 92 of 424 forwards.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 41
- Shot selection
- 99
- Penalties drawn
- 78
- Puck management
- 14
Defense
- Takeaways
- 17
- Discipline
- 57
- Safe zone exits
- 25
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | BUF | 78 | 94 | 28 |
| 2024-25 | BUF | 64 | 74 | 44 |
| 2023-24 | NSH | 31 | 54 | 24 |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 63 | 69 | 57 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
1.8
wins above replacement
0.0 to 3.4 — 90% interval
76 of 615 forwards
+9.3 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +3.6
- EV defense
- -1.1
- Power play
- +1.3
- Penalty kill
- 0.0
- Shooting
- +2.3
- Penalties
- +0.7
- Average → replacement
- +2.5
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | BUF | 62 | 1.8 | 0.0 to 3.4 | 76/615 |
| 2024-25 | BUF | 69 | 1.9 | 0.8 to 3.1 | 79/596 |
| 2023-24 | NSH | 69 | 0.7 | -0.3 to 1.9 | 201/608 |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 78 | 2.0 | 0.3 to 3.4 | 59/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 127.2 km/h33rd percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 32.3 km/h3rd percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 12nd percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 41.7 %46th percentileleague avg. 43.1 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 20.7 km20th percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 3.45 km17th percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 40.4 %37th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.8 %83rd percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 39.5 %52nd percentileleague avg. 40.1 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1437th percentile | 139th percentile | 7.1 %17th percentile |
| High danger | 857th percentile | 157th percentile | 12.5 %29th percentile |
| Mid range | 550th percentile | 054th percentile | 0.0 %32nd percentile |
| Long range | 031st percentile | 092nd percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
VGK
CBJ
OTT
LAK
ANA
SJS
WSH
PHIJason Zucker: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Jason Zucker have in 2026-27?
Jason Zucker has 1 goal and 1 point (0 assists) in 8 games in 2026-27.
How old is Jason Zucker?
Jason Zucker is 34 years old: he was born on January 16, 1992.
How tall is Jason Zucker, and how much does he weigh?
Jason Zucker is 5'11" (180 cm) and weighs 201 lb (91 kg).
Where is Jason Zucker from?
United States: Jason Zucker was born in Newport Beach, California, United States.
What team does Jason Zucker play for?
Jason Zucker plays for the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL, at L, wearing number 17.
Is Jason Zucker injured?
No: Jason Zucker is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Jason Zucker?
Jason Zucker produced 1.8 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 76th of 615 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 85 out of 100: excellent for his position.
How much does Jason Zucker make?
Jason Zucker earns $4.8M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 78 out of 100 (very good contract): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Jason Zucker's contract end?
Jason Zucker's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a M-NTC clause.
Is Jason Zucker overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 78 out of 100 (very good contract), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Jason Zucker a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 76th of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Jason Zucker getting better?
Yes: his PAL rating went from 71 in 2024-25 to 85 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Jason Zucker played lately?
Over his last 8 games, Jason Zucker has 1 point (1 goal, 0 assists).
What are Jason Zucker's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Jason Zucker has 839 games, 242 goals, 227 assists and 469 points. His best season: 2017-18, with 64 points in 82 games.
Where was Jason Zucker drafted?
Jason Zucker was drafted 59th overall (round 2) by Minnesota Wild in 2010.
How does Jason Zucker perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Jason Zucker has 65 games and 22 points in his career. His pace (0.34 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (0.56).
Which player is most similar to Jason Zucker?
Brayden Point: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Brayden Point's page →Is Jason Zucker a good fantasy pick?
A useful depth pick: our projection has him at 33 points in 2026-27, or 0.55 points per game.
Is Jason Zucker related to anyone famous?
Yes: Natalie Zucker (mother, former competitive figure skater).
Is Jason Zucker married?
Yes, married to Carly Aplin (2016).
What is Jason Zucker's nationality?
Jason Zucker is American. Internationally: USA — gold medal at the 2010 World Juniors; bronze medal at the 2011 World Juniors.
What awards has Jason Zucker won?
WCHA Rookie of the Year (2010–11) ; WCHA All-Rookie Team (2010–11) ; WCHA Second All-Star Team (2010–11) ; AHL All-Rookie Team (2012–13) ; AHL All-Star Classic selection (2013) ; King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2018–19).
Where did Jason Zucker play before turning pro?
University of Denver — college player, 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons; turned pro after the 2011–12 season.
How many points is Jason Zucker projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 33 points in 60 games in 2026-27 (14 to 51 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Buffalo Sabres teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)