Hot Predators acquire wing Zucker from Coyotes

The Nashville Predators acquired Arizona Coyotes winger Jason Zucker ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline as they seek to clinch a Western Conference playoff spot.

The Coyotes acquired a 2024 sixth-round draft pick from Nashville that was originally owned by the Dallas Stars, sources said. There was no salary retention on the deal.

Zucker, 32, had 9 goals and 16 assists in 51 games for the Coyotes. He signed in Arizona after playing the previous four seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Zucker is on a one-year deal with a $5.3 million cap hit. A strong offensive player who can play wither wing, Zucker had 27 goals with the Penguins last season.

The trade marks a reunion for Zucker and Nashville coach Andrew Brunette, who was an assistant coach for Zucker with the Minnesota Wild.

The Predators are currently the first wild card team in the Western Conference and one of the NHL’s hottest teams, having gone 9-0-1 in their last 10 games.

As late as February, first-year general manager Barry Trotz was expected to be a seller at the trade deadline. But with Nashville having a 77% chance of making the playoffs per Stathletes, the Predators have become buyers, having also acquired Chicago Blackhawks winger Anthony Beauvillier before the deadline.