Jason Zucker...

[thestonedkoala]

Born in Las Vegas, Nevada. Won two goal medals. Won NCAA rookie of the year. I'm kind of surprised. I knew being drafted no one really knew what type of player Zucker was. As well given his non-pedigree background of coming out of Las Vegas, some people thought of him as a high risk, high reward type of player.

So far he's delivered for the Wild. He was good at this year's WJC. He's been excellent for University of Denver.

Could he be another Stastny? A guy that drops to the 2nd round due to various factors but ends up becoming a star player?

Click to read more...

 

[Madic]

some people thought of him as a high risk, high reward type of player.

That's weird, I remember him being a low-risk pick. I could have sworn he was thought to be a hard-worker with good speed who didn't have the upside but would likely translate well to the pros.

Can't comment on his play this year.

 

[R S]

Go ask in the "College prospects thread" on the Avalanche board. Lots of Zucker humpers there.

 

[john g]

he is the WCHA Rookie of the Year, they havent announced national awards yet I believe. or did i miss it

 

[State of Hockey]

That's weird, I remember him being a low-risk pick.

You remember right. He was considered low risk, low reward. I don't think too much has changed in that regard.

 

[thestonedkoala]

You remember right. He was considered low risk, low reward. I don't think too much has changed in that regard.

I thought some said he was a high reward player given he hadn't scratched the surface of his abilities yet.

 

[HockeyGuy1975]

Sometimes the high reward / low risk conversation is nothing more than semantics. But, generally speaking, Zucker was seen a responsiible player with good puck skills. Therefore, not much of a risk. His offensive output this year has been somewhat of a surprise, but he was always talented offensively. It seems like his confidence took off after he made the WJC team while a member of the U18 program.

I think he'll be a top 6 Wild player for many years. And a USA Olympic player down the road.

 

[Oilers Chick]

he is the WCHA Rookie of the Year, they havent announced national awards yet I believe. or did i miss it

They don't announce the All-Americans until the Frozen Four weekend in April.

 

[wej20]

That's weird, I remember him being a low-risk pick. I could have sworn he was thought to be a hard-worker with good speed who didn't have the upside but would likely translate well to the pros.

Can't comment on his play this year.

That's what I remember reading about him pre-draft, good speed and work ethic so could play a bottom 6 role if he didn't reach his offensive potential.

 

[AmericanDream]

could be another Joe Pavelski type player...

very dependable in any situation, always going to be in the top 6 but may never be a legit top 3 player, and is a heart and soul type of player.

teams win with guys like this on their roster, and Zucker is a player that I would want on my team any day of the week.

 

[arsmaster*]

could be another Joe Pavelski type player...

very dependable in any situation, always going to be in the top 6 but may never be a legit top 3 player, and is a heart and soul type of player.

teams win with guys like this on their roster, and Zucker is a player that I would want on my team any day of the week.

top 6 in the NHL? really?

I always thought of him as a Helm/Draper, the offense has surprised this year, but does it translate?

Dont like the Pavelski comparison either - one is a burner and one isnt.

Solid player nonetheless.

 

[wej20]

could be another Joe Pavelski type player...

very dependable in any situation, always going to be in the top 6 but may never be a legit top 3 player, and is a heart and soul type of player.

teams win with guys like this on their roster, and Zucker is a player that I would want on my team any day of the week.

bit early to call him a guaranteed top 6 player.

 

[SenzZen]

bit early to call him a guaranteed top 6 player.

Well, he was drafted by the Wild... Antti Miettinen- am I right?!

 

[HockeyGuy1975]

Having seen Zucker play over a dozen times or so, I would say his potential is Alex Steen. But he is a better skater than Steen IMO

 

[forthewild]

too early to proclaim him a top 6 player as we don't know if his offense will translate but he has the speed and the work ethic to make it work and he attacks the net and isn't afraid to get his hands involved, as a Wild fan i hope he reaches his potential as it would be great to have a guy who can score.

and yes Mittens is only a top 6 guy because of Koivu, while Koivu was out Mittens looked more then useless.