16 Jason Zucker RW

Zucker's future with Minnesota remains very much up in the air, Michael Russo of The Athletic Reports.

If it weren't for Phil Kessel vetoing a trade that would've seen the Pens' forward shipped to the Wild, Zucker would already be house hunting in Pittsburgh. Instead, for the time being, he remains in Minnesota. The failed deal with the Penguins represents the second time the Wild have attempted to part ways with Zucker in 218-19, having previously failed to trade him to Calgary at the trade deadline. At this point, it seems Zucker's days in Minny are numbered, but where he winds up is anybody's guess.

Zucker had 21 goals and 42 points while averaging 17:05 of ice time in 81 games this year.

It was a down year for the University of Denver product relative to his 64-point outburst during the 2017-18 campaign. Zucker still produced 14 power-play points during the season, so that's certainly a positive sign for his fantasy value for next season. The 27-year-old signed a large five-year, $27.5 million extension with the team last summer, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Zucker in a prominent role next season.

Zucker recorded two assists -- both on the man advantage -- in Friday's 3-2 win over the Golden Knights.

Zucker set up goals by Eric Staal and Kevin Fiala to give the Wild a 3-0 lead midway through the second period. It ended up being just enough for the victory. Zucker is up to 41 points (21 goals, 20 helpers) in 77 games, his third consecutive 40-point season. Thirteen of his points have come on the power play, giving him a little extra fantasy value.

Zucker was a minus-2 in 16:58 of ice time in Saturday's 5-1 loss to Carolina.

Zucker wasn't the only one to have a poor plus-minus in a blowout loss, but he produced just one shot in the game. In his last 10 games, the 27-year-old has been decent, collecting five points in that span. The Denver University product did see 4:09 of power-play time, which could bode well for his fantasy prospects down the stretch.

Zucker (leg) retook the ice after missing seven minutes of action Saturday, Chad Graff of The Athletic Minnesota reports.

Given how gruesome the injury looked and with Zucker needing help to leave the ice, his return after such a short period of time is surprising. Fortunately, his testing must have come back clean and the 27-year-old winger was able to shake it off. It may be worth keeping an eye out in the event something more comes of it after the game, but, for the time being, consider Zucker good to go moving forward.

Zucker required assistance leaving to the locker room during the second period of Saturday's game with an apparent right leg or ankle injury, Chad Graff of The Athletic Minnesota reports.

Zucker wasn't able to put any weight on the leg as he left, which may indicate he's done for the evening. He's likely headed for further testing on the leg and the team should dole out more information on the 27-year-old winger ahead of Sunday's contest against the Islanders.

Zucker scored all three Minnesota goals in Thursday's 3-0 win over Tampa Bay.

It was his second career hat trick. Zucker has six goals in his last six games and eight points in his last seven games. He has now hit the 20-goal mark in four of his last five seasons. Zucker won't come close to his outstanding 64-point season in 2017-18, but is still within range of a 45-point year. And right now, he's a hot depth play.

Zucker scored his 17th goal of the season in Sunday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Predators.

Zucker is riding a five-game point streak that has seen him score three times and added two assists. He's added eight hits in that span. With 34 points in 65 games, Zucker has needed this hot streak to regain a bit of trust from fantasy owners.

Zucker contributed an assist in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Flames.

Zucker has picked up two goals and two assists in his last four games, while firing 17 shots on goal in that span. The winger has 33 points in 64 games this year, a much slower scoring pace than the 64 points he had last season. This is likely the result of his shooting percentage dropping from 14.9 to 9.0 year over year.

Zucker opened the scoring in Sunday's 2-1 overtime win over the Blues.

It was a solid performance from Zucker, who had plenty of chances to tickle twine but ended up with only a single goal Sunday. The 27-year-old winger was able to snap an 11-game goalless drought and now has 15 goals and 31 points in 62 games in 2018-19.

Zucker finished Sunday's 2-1 loss to New York with an assist.

Zucker drew the primary helper on Mikael Granlund's power-play goal early in the second period, but that would be it for the Wild's offense Sunday. With points in four of his last five, Zucker has been enjoying a run of good form lately, but he is still a relatively risky play at 0.52 points per game in 2018-19.

Zucker notched a power-play goal in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to Chicago.

Zucker has just 14 goals and 26 points after breaking out with 64 points during the 2017-18 campaign. Despite the poor offensive performance, he's averaging over 17 minutes of ice time per game for the first time in his career.

Zucker recorded an even-strength assist and four hits in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche.

Considering Zucker signed a five-year, $27.5 million extension in July, one could have predicted that he'd see a career high in ice time this season. That is indeed the case, with the California native averaging 17:04, including more power-play (2:15) action than ever before. On the downside, Zucker has only converted 9.6 percent of his shots to keep him a good distance away from the elite crop of forwards.

Zucker scored two goals in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Jets.

Zucker's two goals ended a seven-game drought for the 26-year-old. His first came on the power play. The second was scored at even strength and would hold up as the game-winner. After posting a career-best 64 points a season ago, Zucker has tapered off in 2018-19, so far managing just 12 goals and 22 points through 42 games.

Zucker forced overtime with a late goal Saturday, but the Wild ended up losing to the Stars, 2-1.

Zucker tracked down the puck off a Mikael Granlund shot that goalie Ben Bishop blocked, lighting the lamp with 2:03 remaining in regulation. This was goal No. 10 for the top-six winger, and he has that same number of assists through 34 games of the 2018-19 campaign, but he'll be hard-pressed to match his career high in points (64) set last year.

Zucker (illness) is expected to play against San Jose on Sunday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Zucker missed just one game while recovering from his ailment. The California native has been disappointing for fantasy owners this season. He's scored just nine goals and 19 points in 31 games after racking up 64 points in a breakout 2017-18 campaign.

Zucker will not play Saturday against the Flames due to an illness.

Zucker's absence will likely result in J.T. Brown joining the lineup Saturday, though some changes will have to be made among the top six in addition to the power play. Given the cause of Zucker's absence, there would seem to be a decent chance he'll be back in action Tuesday against the Sharks.

Zucker found twine Tuesday, but the Wild squandered a two-goal lead and lost to the Coyotes at home, 4-3.

Zucker's second-period tally put the Wild up 3-1, but the 'Yotes would end up scoring three unanswered goals -- including a pair from Josh Archibald -- to stun the Wild in their own barn. Zucker renewed his contract for five years and $27.5 million in the summer, but six Minnesota skaters currently have more points than his 16-spot over 24 games. The main problem is that the California native only has three man-advantage points after ringing up a career-high 16 of those last year.

Zucker fashioned a goal and two assists in Friday's 5-1 road win over the Ducks.

Zucker emerged from a four-game point drought with the brilliant performance. Wild GM Paul Fenton would love for the top-six, power-play contributor to go on a tear, as he bestowed a five-year, $27.5 million contract on Zucker in July -- only Mikael Granlund and assistant captain Zach Parise are making more on an annual basis.

Contrary to an earlier report, Zucker is in Monday's lineup against the Canucks.

It looks like the Wild may have been tinkering with their lineup just prior to the game, but it makes sense that Zucker is healthy and playing.