Penguins Winger Almost Traded at Trade Deadline

It has just been released that the Penguins were in trade talks about Jason Zucker at this season's trade deadline.

The Penguins likely were trying to trade Zucker because of his $5.5M contract.

Zucker was traded by the Minnesota Wild in 2020 in exchange for Calen Addison, Alex Galchenyuk, and a 2020 conditional first-round pick. Zucker was drafted by the Wild in the 2010 NHL Draft.

After being traded, Zucker would add 6 goals and 6 assists in 15 games to his 14 goals and 15 assists with the Wild, totaling 20 goals and 21 assists for the 2019-2020 season.

Zucker found himself in a slump for the next two seasons, only scoring a combined 17 goals and 18 assists in 79 games. The 31 year old missed playing time due to several injuries over the course of those two seasons.

His game, however, certainly turned around this season, as he currently sits at 26 goals and 20 assists.

Zucker went on a goal scoring rampage earlier this year, scoring 9 goals in 8 games from Feb. 26 to Mar. 12.

Several fans and reporters have described Zucker as "the heart and soul" of the Penguins team this season.

Zucker is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

So, what do you think? Will Zucker remain a Pittsburgh Penguin?