JASON ZUCKER #17

Notes accurate as of Sept. 1, 2026

PRONUNCIATION:  ZUH-kuhr, JAY-suhn

CONTRACT STATUS: Signed through 2026-27 ($4.75 million AAV)

CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Acquired by Nashville from Pittsburgh in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft (Ludvig Lafton); Acquired by Pittsburgh from Minnesota in exchange for Calen Addison, Alex Galchenyuk and a conditional first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft (Carson Lambos); Selected by Minnesota in the second round (59th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  

  • Posted 50 points (24+26) in 55 games with the Houston Aeros and was named to the AHL All-Star Game and the AHL All-Rookie Team in 2012-13.
  • Registered his first NHL point on March 31, 2012 vs. Los Angeles.
  • Made his NHL debut on March 29, 2012 vs. Florida.
  • Scored his first NHL goal on Feb. 17, 2013 vs. Detroit.
  • Recorded the best plus/minus in the NHL (34) in 2016-17.
  • Won the NHL Leadership-Humanitarian Award (King Clancy Trophy) in 2018-19.
  • Appeared in his 500th NHL game on April 22, 2021 vs. New Jersey as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
  • Played in his 600th NHL game on Feb. 17, 2023 at NY Islanders with the Penguins.
  • Skated in his 700th NHL game on Oct. 10, 2024 vs. Los Angeles with Buffalo.
  • Set new single-season career-highs in assists (32), power-play goals (11) and power-play points (21) with Buffalo in 2024-25.
  • Recorded the most game-winning goals by a Sabres skater since Alex Tuch in 2023-24 (7) and ranked first among all Buffalo skaters in that category in 2025-26. Became the first Buffalo skater age 30 or older since Chris Drury in 2006-07 (9 game-winning goals, 30 years old) to record at least five game-winning goals. 
  • Ranked first among all Sabres skaters in power-play goals (10) for the second straight season in 2025-26 and became the first Buffalo skater to record back-to-back seasons with double digit power-play goals since Tage Thompson in 2021-22 (10) and 2022-23 (20).
  • Posted a 32.3 percent shooting percentage on the power play in 2025-26, the best mark in a single season in franchise history and fourth among all NHL skaters (min. 25 shots). 
  • Appeared in his 800th NHL game on Jan. 20, 2026 at Nashville. 

AMATEUR HIGHLIGHTS:  

  • Played two seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Denver from 2010-12 and registered 91 points (45+46), 11 power-play goals, 10 game-winning goals and a plus-28 rating in 78 career games.
  • Posted 46 points (22+24) in 38 games and was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team, the WCHA All-Tournament Team, the WCHA Second All-Star Team and the NCAA (West) Second All-American Team in 2011-12.
  • Named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and the WCHA Second All-Star Team and was named WCHA Rookie of the Year in 2010-11 after recording 45 points (23+22) in 40 games.
  • Ranked second in goals and third in points in the WCHA in 2010-11 as a freshman.
  • Appeared in seven games and recorded two goals en route to earning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:  

  • Served as captain for Team USA at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship and recorded seven points (3+4) in six games).
  • Earned a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.
  • Appeared in seven games and recorded two goals en route to earning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.

NHL FIRSTS

Game: 3/29/12 vs. FLA

Goal: 2/17/13 vs. DET

Assist: 3/31/12 vs. LAK

AWARDS & HONORS

Professional:

2018-19 NHL Leadership-Humanitarian Award (King Clancy Trophy)

2012-13 AHL All-Rookie Team

2012-13 AHL All-Star Game

International:

2010 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship Bronze Medal

2009 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship Gold Medal

Amateur:

2011-12 WCHA All-Academic Team

2011-12 WCHA All-Tournament Team

2011-12 WCHA Second All-Star Team

2011-12 NCAA (West) Second All-American Team

2010-11 WCHA Rookie of the Year

2010-11 WCHA All-Rookie Team

2010-11 WCHA Second All-Star Team