Since signing with the Arizona Coyotes, Jason Zucker has made a huge impact for the team without even playing a regular season game.
When the Arizona Coyotes signed forward Jason Zucker this summer, two things came to mind on how he could impact the team.
His offensive abilities are something that the Coyotes could use as Zucker scored 27 goals, 21 assists and 48 points in 78 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.
Veteran presence and leadership is a trait that is greatly undervalued in the NHL today and something that Zucker provides to a young Coyotes team.
Since stepping foot in Arizona, Zucker has made it a priority to step up as a leader and be a mentor to some of the team’s younger players.
“I've been lucky enough to have some experience in the league and just want to pass that on and just be able to give them as much advice as I can. And again, I was lucky enough to have some great mentors when I was coming into the league, so I'm hoping I can do the same for these guys.”
One player that Zucker has taken under his wing is 2022 third overall pick, Logan Cooley. After practice on Friday, Zucker spent time on the ice with Cooley as the 31-year-old veteran continues to help out the 19-year-old rookie.
“He's a great kid, great player,” Zucker said. “Obviously he's just trying to soak in as much advice as he can right now, so I'm just trying to help him anyway but again, it's been fun. He's teaching me some stuff as well.”
It speaks volumes that Zucker was paired with Cooley and Dylan Guenther, two of Arizona’s top forward prospects, on a line while playing against the Los Angeles Kings in Australia last week.
While the Coyotes don’t have a captain, its players like Zucker who will ultimately help forge a strong culture and help these young players grow at the NHL level.