As the NHL prepares for a new season scheduled to start in mid-January, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 48 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid-level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker.

Jason Zucker

Position: Left winger

Shoots: Left

Age: 28

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 192 pounds

2019-20 NHL statistics: 60 games, 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists)

Contract: Third year of a five-year contract with a salary cap hit of $5.5 million. Pending unrestricted free agent in 2023

Acquired: Trade, Feb. 10, 2020

Last season: Upon his arrival to Pittsburgh via trade from the Minnesota Wild, Jason Zucker looked awful.

He even said so himself.

“I thought my hands were terrible,” he said following his first game with the team, a 2-1 overtime loss at home to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 11. “I mishandled pretty much every puck I touched.

“I think I’ll be better next game.”

Zucker made good on that notion three nights later when he scored two goals, helping the Penguins beat the Montreal Canadiens at home, 4-1.

In his brief time with the Penguins during the regular season before play was halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, Zucker primarily played on the top line with center Sidney Crosby and showed he was more than capable of playing with one of the most skilled, cerebral and demanding centers in the history of the NHL.

Blessed with a fleet set of skates, Zucker offered a straight forward north-south style that fit in well with the Penguins’ overall scheme.

Zucker’s hands did eventually round into form and his soft touch with the puck was evident with how he shot and passed. His offensive acumen led to him getting some sporadic work on the team’s top power-play unit, primarily working off the left wall.

In 15 regular season games with the Penguins, Zucker produced 12 points (six goals, six assists).

Once the NHL resumed played in August for a postseason tournament, first-line left winger Jake Guentzel had recovered from a severe shoulder injury and reclaimed his spot in the lineup next to Crosby. As a “consolation,” Zucker was placed on the second line with center Evgeni Malkin.

During the Penguins’ humiliating four-game upset in the preliminary round, Zucker was one of the team’s better players — with few worthy candidates for that designation — producing two goals in the series, including their lone game-winning score.

The future: Zucker will open the campaign with Malkin once again. Along with Bryan Rust on the right wing, Malkin will arguably be working with the fastest set of wingers he’s ever operated with during his career.

Ideally, their speed will open up the ice for the non-pareil Malkin who plays more of an east-west style than Crosby.

On special teams, Zucker has been working on the second power-play unit throughout training camp, again on the left wall. Considering how often the Penguins struggled with their power play last season, it’s easy to see Zucker getting some work with the top unit at some point.

And with the departure of some of the franchise’s most prominent presences such as forward Patric Hornqvist and Matt Murray, the outgoing Zucker has an opportunity to be an impactful voice in the Penguins’ dressing room.

Whether it’s with Crosby or Malkin or either of the power-play units, Zucker has shown he has the speed, skill and intelligence to fill an important role for the Penguins.

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