Zucker eager to be leader for Coyotes on, off ice

EDINA, Minn. -- Jason Zucker is only 31 years old but will be an elder statesman for the Arizona Coyotes this season.

The forward signed a one-year contract July 1 following three-plus seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Playing Wednesday at Da Beauty League, a 4-on-4 summer league for collegiate and NHL players with ties to Minnesota, Zucker said he's ready to help the younger Coyotes on and off the ice.

"It's a great young team, and kind of a new challenge for me being the oldest guy on the team," Zucker told NHL.com. "That will be a little bit weird, but it should be fun. I mean, it's a great problem to have when you have that many skilled, young guys that can come in and fill great roles and play an exciting brand of hockey. I'm excited.

"For me, it was a distinct role that they wanted to fill. I play a pretty simple game. I don't do anything crazy, fancy, and I think that's what they really liked about me. Hopefully I can add to some of that young talent and make the game easier for them."

Arizona's young core made another addition Thursday when Logan Cooley, the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, decided to leave the University of Minnesota after one season and sign a three-year, entry-level contract. The 19-year-old forward had 60 points (22 goals, 38 assists) in 39 games as a freshman last season, second in NCAA Division I to forward University of Michigan forward Adam Fantilli (65), who was the No. 3 pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2023 NHL Draft.

Cooley could join a young forward group that includes Conor Geekie (19), Josh Doan (21), and Jack McBain (23). The three are expected to play important roles this season with the Coyotes, who will look to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2019-20, when they lost to the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference First Round.

Zucker, a six-time 20-goal-scorer who had 48 points (27 goals, 21 assists) in 78 games last season, is expected to provide offense after the Coyotes averaged 2.74 goals per game last season (27th in NHL) and finished seventh in the Central Division (28-40-14). Zucker has 338 points (182 goals, 156 assists) in 628 regular-season games with the Penguins and Minnesota Wild, and 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 46 playoff games.

He joins forwards Nick Bjugstad and Alexander Kerfoot, and defenseman Troy Stecher after each also signed as an unrestricted free agent July 1 after Arizona acquired defenseman Sean Durzi in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings on June 24.

"It's going to be one of those things that I hope I can add value in anyway and just provide anything I can to the team and, hopefully, propel them into the playoffs," Zucker said.

The Coyotes will get a great chance to bond early in the preseason when they'll play the Kings on Sept. 23 and 24 in Melbourne, Australia, as part of the of the Video: Jason Zucker talks signing with Coyotes.

Zucker is eager to get going.

"That's really what it's all about -- making sure everyone's excited to be there," Zucker said. "They've got so much young talent. It's going to be a really fun team to watch and be a part of. I can't wait."