LA Kings Training Camp Preview: Mats Zuccarello

According to Natural Stat Trick, in 57 games on a line with Kaprizov at 5v5, the two boasted a 51.4 CF%, 53.8 SCF%, 51.8 HDCF%, 52.9 GF%, and a 37.3 xGF in 700 minutes of ice time. When away from Kaprizov, those numbers dipped a bit, and understandably so, as he was away from the Wild’s best play-making player. Although Zuccarello isn’t the speedy winger he once was, he proved to be an impactful player for Minnesota, especially playing with Kaprizov.

2026-27 outlook

Zuccarello signed a one-year deal for $1,000,000 with potential bonuses for his age-39 season. Considering the season Zuccarello had with Minnesota, this is a steal of a contract for a player playing a middle-six role with potential minutes on the second power-play unit.

Zuccarello won’t be playing with Kaprizov this year, and won’t play with Artemi Panarin on the Kings, so I am curious to see how his point production fluctuates from last year to this year while not playing with a skilled, play-making winger. The Kings are projected to have one of, if not the oldest, roster in the league, and Zuccarello will be a part of it. If he puts up 30-40 points, that will be a $1,000,000 well spent by the Kings.