Edited Oct. 26, 2021 at 8:42 p.m.
And not B/C of ZAR talent level or he’s unneeded or unimportant. He’s a top defensive forward in the NHL and contributes enough offensively.
Was the top NCCAA Free agent signing and Hobey Baker runner up(had 31goals 32assists in just 38 games his senior season). He completely transformed his game to become an elite(Selke vote getting) defensive, NHL forward. He could be a top 6 if he choose another team to sign with. Atleast a mid-6.
I’d take ZAR over Ritchie everyday of the week.
ZAR has 8-9 goals and 130 plus hits playing just 40 or so games each of his 3 seasons. Mainly b/c his body probably can’t/won’t hold up to a full 82 game season.
But if he did play a full 82, he would easily be a 200 plus Hit player and close to a 20 goal scorer(with no PP time and 3rd-4th line minutes).
Put him on the 2nd PP unit and plant him in the crease and see how quickly he out produces Ritchie. He’s put up similar numbers in less games and much, much better defensively.
But ya, a late 2nd or late 3rd probably gets it done seeing as he is an UFA after this season. His RFA rights are gone.
And most likely he’ll be looking for a raise this offseason too. 27 years old, coming into his prime, I would imagine he’ll be looking for atleast a 3-5 year deal. Probably around 2M-2.5M too.
And the Pens being super deep at Forward would allow them to move ZAR without a huge drop off.
When the team is completely healthy:
Guentzel/Sid/Rust
Zucker/Geno/Kappy
OConnor/Carter/Heinen
ZAR/Blueger/McGinn
Still have E-Rod, D.Simon, Lafferty, B.Boyle, Angello, Zohorna, all NHL level talent that would be a healthy scratch or playing in the AHL for the WBS Pens. Along with Poulin, Legare, Hallander, Puustinen, Bjorkqvist.
Getting something for ZAR now would be good asset management.
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