With Matt Dumba signed the focus has shifted to Jason Zucker who's arbitration hearing is set for Saturday.


According to the Athletic's Michael Russo, the Wild and Zucker are far apart on the terms of a new deal. Zucker is seeking a deal presumably worth more than 6M per year, while the Wild are looking at an a number somewhere between 5.25M and 5.75M per year for Zucker.

Zucker's agent Eustace King is expected to meet with the Wild face to face this week in hopes of getting something accomplished ahead of the scheduled arbitration date.

It is no secret that Zucker has put down some significant roots here in Minnesota and would like to be a part of the Wild for years to come. But that does not mean that he is ready to sacrifice what is rightfully due the 33 goal goal scorer from this past season.

The NHL is clearly a speed game and Jason Zucker is arguably the Wild's fastest player, combined with his goal scoring ability, new Wild GM is between a rock and the proverbial hard place with Zucker.

It has been reported that Fenton came close to making a deal prior to the draft that would have included Zucker. So the topic of the Wild moving forward without Zucker has certainly been explored by Fenton. What does that mean heading into this crucial week of decision as it pertains to Jason Zucker's immediate and potential long term future I'm Minnesota?

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