With the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2022-23 season coming to an end without any postseason action, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 49 individuals signed to an NHL contract — including those whose deals do not begin until next season — with the organization, from mid-level prospect Corey Andonovski to top-six winger Jason Zucker.

This series will publish every weekday leading into the NHL Draft on June 28 and 29.

(Note: All contract information courtesy of Cap Friendly.)

Jason Zucker

Position: Left winger

Shoots: Left

Age: 31

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 192 pounds

2022-23 NHL statistics: 78 games, 48 points (27 goals, 21 assists)

Contract: In the final year of a four-year contract with a salary cap hit of $5.5 million. Pending unrestricted free agent this offseason.

(Note: Zucker’s expiring contract contains a modified no-trade clause which allows him to submit a list of 10 teams he would not accept a trade to.)

Acquired: Trade, Feb. 10, 2020

Last season: There really wasn’t any kind of secret to Jason Zucker’s success in 2022-23.

No key adjustment or change in approach.

He just stayed healthy.

After all sorts of ailments — most notably a core muscle injury — pockmarked his previous two seasons, Zucker was able-bodied for the bulk of the 2022-23 campaign and fell just four games short of appearing in the full set of 82 games.

Zucker got off to a productive start to the season. Primarily playing on the second line with center Evgeni Malkin, Zucker posted six points (one goal, five assists) in his first six games.

Things got anxious after that early surge as he missed a pair of games Oct. 25 and 28, but he was back in the lineup by Oct 29 and generated nine points (four goals, five assists) in 10 games.

Missing only two more games over the course of the remainder of the season, Zucker found a great deal of chemistry by working with Malkin.

In addition to providing some offensive punch, Zucker provided some literal punch in being one of the relatively few sources of physical play in the lineup, particularly as a tenacious forechecker. That style led to him drawing 22 penalties during five-on-five play, tied for second-most on the team (per Natural Stat Trick).

Zucker showed a fair amount of bravery during a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 13 when he fought rough-and-tumble defenseman Brenden Dillon and more than held his own in the affair.

In the final stretch of the season, Zucker really hit a groove between Feb. 26 and March 12 when he totaled a staggering nine goals in only eight games.

The future: Zucker sure picked a great time to get healthy and return to the level of play that made him a legit top-six forward.

As a pending unrestricted free agent, he should have no shortage of suitors. And following Wednesday’s trade acquisition of winger Reilly Smith, there doesn’t appear to be room for the Penguins to re-sign Zucker.

Following the 2022-23 season, Zucker was very direct in stating he would like to re-sign with the Penguins, singing the praises of the team and the city. But at 31, this will be his last opportunity to get a big contract with regard to salary and term.

Given Zucker’s age and his history of health woes (which are brought on by his crash-and-bang style of play), there are legit concerns about extending a long-term deal to him. But when he is upright, he’s an asset to any team’s top two lines.

He can get a big pay day on Thursday.

Follow the Penguins all season long.

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