The Minnesota Wild has extended their star forward, Mats Zuccarello, to a new two-year deal at $4.125 Million AAV. Mats Zucarrello’s extension will begin at the start of the 2024-25 season and ensures that one of the best partnerships stays alive for the next three seasons.
The Norwegian Superstar Stays Put
The Norwegian forward has found another home in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild. Similar to his time with the New York Rangers, where he spent seven years, he has become a fan favourite in Minnesota. This didn’t come quite as easy, however, as he didn’t hit the ground running in his first season, but since the 2020-2021 season, he has been one of the Wild’s top forwards. Since the 2020-21 season, Zuccarello has put up 181 points in 190 regular season games. He also leads the team in assists since joining the team with 146 and third in goals with 72.
While Mats Zuccarello‘s age could be a concern with this extension, as he will be 39 when it expires, he has found a second youth in Minnesota. His incredible speed has taken a small step back over the year, but his vision and patience with the puck is as sharp as ever. He reads the game at an elite level and has been pivotal in making the first line work. Therefore it makes a lot of sense for GM Bill Guerin to keep this line intact for as long as possible as it might be one of the best lines in Wild history. Especially at a reduced price compared to his current deal.
The Zuccarello-Kaprizov Partnership Has Been Extended
Another factor that should excite Wild fans is the fact that one of the deadliest duos in hockey stays intact for the next three seasons. The chemistry between Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov has been among the best in the NHL. The two stars have been able to find a partnership both on and off-ice. On the ice, they always seem to be able to find each other in any given situation. Where Kaprizov is the superstar and goalscorer, Zuccarello’s vision and patience with the puck have enabled the Russian to continue to get better and better in the NHL. Improvements that might be paramount in taking the Wild to their first-ever Stanley Cup in the future once their cap situation improves during the 2025-2026 season.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
