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NHL·ANALYSIS·September 4, 2026 05:33 PM ET

Zuccarello’s Los Angeles deal shifts Sabres option to trade market

He produced 54 points in 59 games last season.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 41 min read
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What happened: The one-year contract runs through 2026-27 with a $1 million base salary and up to $5.5 million in performance bonuses. The 39-year-old winger left the Minnesota Wild after seven seasons.

Why it matters: The Buffalo Sabres can pursue Zuccarello only if Los Angeles makes him available. His full no-trade clause gives him control over any deadline move.

By the numbers: Zuccarello recorded 15 goals and 39 assists in 59 games during 2025-26, his fifth consecutive 50-point season.

What to watch: Los Angeles’s place in the playoff race will determine whether a trade market develops before the deadline.

Sources

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NHLAnalysisBuffalo SabresMinnesota WildMats Zuccarello
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