To Stay or To Go? Tracking These Nashville Predators 2024 Free Agents
By Chad Minton
4. Jason Zucker, $5.3M AAV in 2023-24, Acquired at 24' Trade Deadline
I look at Zucker as a player Trotz went out and got just for the 2024 playoff push, and to have an extra veteran to win in the playoffs. He took his chance for Zucker by only surrendering a sixth round pick in this year's draft.
Zucker is 32-years-old and how much does Trotz want to keep relying on aging veterans probably past their prime? Also, how much money do you really want to dedicate to an aging player like that, which will hold you back from addressing other areas of concern?
I just don't see it plausible that Nashville re-signs Zucker this offseason. He's a great guy to have around and I don't think he was necessarily a bust after the trade deadline. He did score a goal in the playoffs, but was he enough to move the needle as an impact forward? I don't think so.
Zucker was a very undervalued rental at the trade deadline for the Predators, and now you move on and wish him the best. Keeping Zucker will just cost too much for my liking.