Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 Player Grades: Jason Zucker

Though the Carolina Hurricanes only just recently hoisted the Stanley Cup, the offseason has long since been underway for the Buffalo Sabres. Wild trade scenarios have already begun floating out there, and the team is no doubt focused on the draft coming up in a few weeks.

In this space, we’re taking a look back at the 2025-26 season and assigning grades. Today’s subject has been one of the more solid contributors since being signed, though he had a rocky season. Let’s get into the grades for Jason Zucker’s 2025-26 season.

Production

At first blush, it feels like Zucker took a slight step back offensively just by watching him. Part of that has to do with his injury troubles, but Zucker finished at an almost identical points-per-game pace this season (.725) as last season (.726).

On the positive side, his 24 goals is the most he’s had since the 2022-23 season, and his 10 power play goals led the team. Zucker doesn’t do anything that jumps out at you but is consistently in the right place at the right time and has managed to find chemistry with anyone he’s been matched up with.

Being a guy who scores 20 or more goals is a nice thing to have, especially given his surprising proficiency on the power play. His game fell apart a bit in the playoffs aside from showing up in a big way late in the series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Intangibles

Zucker doesn’t stand out in the way that someone like Zach Benson or Tage Thompson does, but he does a lot of the little things right. He is a solid, smart winger who can effortlessly slide into any spot in the lineup and that versatility is definitely an asset given the logjam the Sabres currently have at forward.

He also brings a steady, veteran presence to the lineup that they distinctly lack without him. Zucker has played on some strong teams, and it is hard to argue that his experience hasn’t been an asset to one of the youngest teams in the league.

Overall Grade: B

Offensively, it is hard to ask much more of Zucker given what he’s been in his career. Leading the team in power play goals is a brag for him but is more indicative of just how badly the unit struggled to find footing for the majority of the season.

This may have crept closer to a B+ or even an A if not for his playoff performance. In 13 games, Zucker scored just twice and had four points, with all but one assist coming in Games 5 and 6 of the Canadiens series.  It would have been nice to see a little more out of him given his importance to the middle six portion of the lineup.

What is His Role in 2026-27?

The Sabres have some needs to fill but their cap situation may leave them with internal reinforcements rather than a big outside move. Where Zucker equates into all of this will be interesting. Benson has taken a big step forward and both Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund appear ready for increased roles.

Zucker absolutely should be part of this lineup, but his time on the power play may be challenged moving forward. He could be a nice piece as a third-line winger with the ability to fill in elsewhere. As a result, it will be interesting to see what his numbers look like going forward.