https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/12-under-the-radar-nhl-acquisitions-who-could-surprise-next-season/
Among the many moves that general manager Ken Holland and the Los Angeles Kings made this offseason, one of the least expensive additions should be able to make a big impact right away on the team's offensive production.
After spending this past seven seasons with the Minnesota Wild, veteran winger Mats Zuccarello signed a one-year contract in free agency this offseason to join the Kings. Even though he is one of the older players in the NHL going into the upcoming 2026-27 season, Zuccarello is still producing at a high level offensively later in his career.
A piece from Sportsnet this week named Zuccarello among the dozen under-the-radar acquisitions this offseason who could surprise in the NHL in the upcoming 2026-27 season. Considering what the Kings are paying him and the high-level role in the top six he could fill in Los Angeles, this inclusion makes sense.
Assuming Zuccarello can continue producing at the level offensively he did with the Wild this past regular season, his contract could very quickly become one of the better-value signings Holland made this summer.
Mats Zuccarello doesn't need to be a star to make a big impact
It was highlighted that Zuccarello scored 54 points in 59 games this past regular season in Minnesota and nine points in eight postseason games. He is also positioned to make a big impact on special teams on the power play for the Kings this upcoming season.
The Kings had one of the worst power plays in the Western Conference this past season. Zuccarello's playmaking and ability to drive the puck to the net should help to improve the Kings' power play unit for new head coach Peter Laviolette and staff.
This upcoming season, Laviolette and the Kings don't necessarily need Zuccarello to turn back the clock or to become one of the team's top offensive starts. With forwards like Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield, and Kevin Fiala already carrying most of the offensive load, Zuccarello just needs to provide another reliable playmaking presence in the top six group.
He can also provide important secondary scoring support and make an impact on special teams on the power play for the Kings offensively.
The Kings have received a lot of criticism this offseason for signing too many aging veterans in free agency and relying too much on older players on the roster in key roles. Zuccarello has the potential to be the player who changes that narrative the most. While his age certainly creates some risk, his recent production shows he still has plenty of value to offer offensively.
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