Mats Zuccarello Injury: Could return next week

Per Jessi Pierce of NHL.com, Zuccarello (lower body) could return in the next week or so, according to head coach John Hynes on Friday.

It was reported Tuesday that Zuccarello was 2-4 weeks away from returning to game action, but that timetable has been moved up. Zuccarello has dealt with a lower-body issue since training camp and has yet to play a game in 2025-26. Upon his return to the lineup, look for Zuccarello to have a spot as a top-six forward, with Marcus Johansson likely moving down to the third line. The 38-year-old Zuccarello had 19 goals and 35 assists in 69 regular-season games in 2024-25.