Being off the ice for a month does not bode well for the team or the player. Left winger Jason Zucker missed almost a month, and the Sabres were possibly staring at trading the left winger and looking to add more pieces for a now probable playoff run.
Just two games ago, though, Zucker returned to the lineup and now is giving the Sabres pause and a chance to be used fittingly as they seemed poised to play meaningful games in March and April.
In games, both of which the Sabres won, Zucker has been in the positive in plus/minus time in both games and added a goal in a win against the New York Rangers. It is a statement from a veteran player who may wish to have a say in his value to the surging team.
As the Sabres continue to surge, big decisions will need to be made by the front office. Zucker scoring a goal on the power play and giving the Sabres a two-goal cushion against the Rangers should lead to more discussion if they want to keep him.
He also added an important face-off win against Vancouver the previous night. Lindy Ruff should be on notice, and the veteran may be able to add more than just what is on the ice.
The Sabres' average age is just under 26, while Jason Zucker is 33 and adds veteran ability
The team is in a position that few believed at the beginning of the year, and the young roster may need someone to help anchor how to handle the situation they find themselves in.
Zucker has over 50 games of playoff experience while being a member of the Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins. That also signals he has experience in helping get a team to the postseason and knows what it is like to play important hockey in the spring months.
The Sabres should look at this experience as an important piece for the younger roster. Having a player who can mentor the young skaters will be vital as the hockey gets harder and more intense.
The trade chip and what they may get for Zucker may not be worth them taken interest in a trade. Now he may be providing more value as a veteran off the bench than someone via a trade. As the Sabres continue to surge, more teams may be looking to keep them out of the postseason. Jason Zucker may be able to teach them how to take that on.