Who are you replacing Zucker with? Considering we need more vets on the roster, not less.
For the rest of the year? Rosen.
No, not until the end of the season, but next season. Why is everyone hoping we trade him and then re-sign him in the offseason, it just almost never happens and he will probably have a lot of new options. Re-sign him now or trade him at TDL, but he will not be coming back.
He chose to sign here. He has a family. It's very possible he has grown to love it in Buffalo and doesn't want to relocate his kids again. Not every single player is driven solely by winning Cups, but that doesn't mean they won't bring it every night.
Why? Because he is a free agent and keeping him solves nothing if he doesn't want to be here. What is the point of letting UFAs walking to free agency and not getting assets.
I’m sure Zucker could have signed with a contending team if he had been willing to play for less. Every year, good hockey players sign contracts with teams that are not contenders. Stability, fit, location, money. There are lots of reasons for why a guy might choose to stay in Buffalo.
