Brad Ratgen: Did Zucker Get Screwed? Analyzing the Decision to Demote Him to the AHL. An indepth look at Zucker's demotion to the AHL while Justin Fontaine stays with the Wild and the case for moving/waiving Konopka in favor of Zucker.

I complete agree and can only justify sending zucker to Iowa to start the year if they believe him to not be at 100% with the groin injury. Zucker belongs in MN and although Fontaine is an interesting player for his scoring ability and complimentary offensive skill set he has no business on the second line IMO. Konopka and Rupp are described as the thoughness or grit but their actual hockey skills are a liability to this team and faceoff percentage is not a justification to keep a player if he can not control the puck or offer any sort of offense. Konopka and Rupp are brutally overmatched by oppoenents who use their skating to eliminate their ability to physically make a difference. I miss Kassian.

People are acting like he is never coming back or he got traded. But he will be back like yeo said lines will change depending on the game. Also I'm pretty sure people who have been at the training camp the whole time know lot better than the fans.

I think Zucker's demotion to Iowa is a nothing story. Bottom line, he didn't earn it over the other guys.

I would have liked to see Zucker in the NHL again this year. He was entertaining and showed good potential for a grinder in the future. I just hope he doesn't turn into another Gillies. Gets his shot, moves up, gets pushed back down, looses his drive and game, then gets traded and makes the other teams lineup

I would have liked to see Zucker in the NHL again this year. He was entertaining and showed good potential for a grinder in the future. I just hope he doesn't turn into another Gillies. Gets his shot, moves up, gets pushed back down, looses his drive and game, then gets traded and makes the other teams lineup
- Tweaterben

There's a very good chance you will see him in the NHL this year. The Wild has been pretty clear about what the roster is right now - the lineup for the opener.

The other thing to keep in mind is that they have a 22 man roster right now. They had the room to keep Zucker. But why keep him if he won't be playing? Demoting him allows him to play, allows them to save a bit on the cap, and gives the team roster flexibility. Guys who don't need waivers to go to Iowa may be moved from time to time to protect depth guys who do need waivers and who the Wild don't want to risk losing for nothing.

I think the biggest surprise about the current roster is that they are carrying 8 defensemen. That tells me they want to use several games to evaluate Dumba and see if they are comfortable keeping him for the season. If they are not, he goes back to Red Deer, Stoner probably slots in as the #6, and Prosser is the extra. If they end up keeping Dumba, I could see them trying to trade Prosser or try to get him through waivers. But for now, they're not sure how it's going to play out, so they are giving themselves options and Zucker is partly a casualty of that.