ST. PAUL, Minn. — At 38 years old, with his team on the verge of playoff elimination and no contract beyond this season, Minnesota Wild winger Mats Zuccarello has every reason to contemplate retirement. But the veteran forward, who originally aimed to play just one NHL game after signing his first deal out of Norway, shows no signs of slowing down. If he plays next season, he would reach the 1,000-game milestone in his remarkable career.
The pending unrestricted free agent believes he’s earned the right to keep going based on his performance. “If my body feels good, I feel like I have some more years left in me,” Zuccarello said before the Wild’s 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the second-round series. “But it’s up to contracts and everything like that. It’s not up to me always. So let’s just take this series, hopefully the next one, and see how far we go here before we start thinking about that. I feel good. I feel like it’s still fun. As long as it’s fun, you get to play. The day you lose the fun, then there’s no reason to play anymore.”
Zuccarello spent nine seasons with the New York Rangers, but he has called the Twin Cities home for the past seven years with the Wild, where his three daughters were raised. He joked that New York was where he “grew up” and Minnesota is “where you grow old.” Reflecting on loyalty, he compared himself to his favorite soccer player Francesco Totti, who spent his entire career at Roma. “I think I’m that kind of guy that it means more to stay, to know the people around you,” Zuccarello said. “We used to hate each other. Now we’re best friends, all of us. I like to be comfortable. I don’t like to be a guy that you talk about in sports that you’re not loyal. You go there, you go there. It’s hard to be because in New York, I’m a loyal guy, you take less to stay, and they ship you out in a second. That’s a part of growing up here in the business. But I’ve always liked to be a loyal guy, and I like to think that when you’re in a place where you really like the people and are part of the community… it’s a little bit more special to me.”
If Zuccarello wants to return, the team shares that sentiment. “We always have interest in Zuccy,” said Bill Guerin, president of hockey operations and general manager. “He’s been a big part of what we’ve built here. We’ll take care of that in the offseason. There’s no doubt he still has passion to play. Why wouldn’t he? He’s still a very effective player. I don’t care what your age is; if you’re producing like he is and playing at the level he is, why wouldn’t you play? He’s too competitive not to play as long as he can.”
Zuccarello nearly averaged a point per game this season, tallying 54 points in 59 games. He is also the all-time leader in every statistical category among Norwegian NHL players, one of just 10 Norwegian skaters ever to compete in the league. At 37 games shy of 1,000, he remains unfazed. “That actually has never meant anything to me,” he said. “I don’t want to play just to get 1,000. If I play, I want to go and help and contribute.”
One key reason the Wild may want Zuccarello back is his influence on Kirill Kaprizov, both on and off the ice. When Kaprizov arrived from Russia with limited English, Zuccarello took him under his wing. Kaprizov still finds his best chemistry with Zuccarello, who feeds him pucks in scoring areas. Zuccarello said he has confided in Kaprizov about his future, “but we’ve gotta keep that between us.”
Guerin noted the veteran’s leadership. “The impact that he’s had on the ice speaks for itself. But he’s also got a big voice in the room. He’s a guy that’s very competitive, and he’s had a great career. He’s smart. He’s very intelligent. Guys listen to him.”
Zuccarello remains humble about his role. “To be honest with you, I think all of these guys would have been good with or without me. I’m just appreciative of the friendships that I’ve gotten here throughout the seven years… they’re helping me feel young and still going.”
The Wild now face a 3-1 series deficit after a disappointing Game 4 loss. Zuccarello is determined to ensure Wednesday’s game in Colorado is not the end. He recalled reaching the Stanley Cup Final 12 years ago with the Rangers. “Back then, you thought, you’re younger, I’ll get another chance at it. But then comes fast and 12 years later you haven’t been back. So I think you just know that it’s gonna go fast and take advantage of the opportunities that you have. At least I would tell young Mats that. I still enjoy it. I don’t feel like I’m 38, I feel like I’m younger.”