Overview

• Team PR announced on Sept. 30 that Zuccarello will miss a minimum of seven to eight weeks with a lower-body injury after sitting out the entirety of training camp.
• His return outlook points to late November, projecting roughly 20 regular-season games missed to start the year.
• With Zuccarello unavailable, Minnesota is expected to elevate 2022 first-round pick Liam Ohgren into a top-six role, likely with Joel Eriksson Ek and Vladimir Tarasenko.
• Zuccarello, 38, recorded 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points in 69 games last season, though recent Evolving Hockey metrics indicate diminished play-driving impact.
• He is in the final year of a two-year contract with a $4.125 million cap hit and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.