In St. Paul, Minnesota, Mats Zuccarello achieved a significant milestone by scoring his 700th NHL point during a game between the Minnesota Wild (14-7-5) and the Buffalo Sabers (10-11-4). Standing 5-foot-8, Zuccarello is the first Norwegian player in NHL history to reach this mark and remains the only Norwegian with over 112 NHL points. At 38 years old, Zuccarello became just the third undrafted player to reach 700 points, joining Martin St. Louis (1,033 points) and Artemi Panarin (896 points).
Zuccarello reflected on the achievement, saying it may not feel significant at the moment but will be a proud moment after retirement. He also humorously wished the game-tying goal he scored in the third period, which would have counted as his 701st point, had officially counted. Despite this, Zuccarello’s impact on the Wild is notable as the team holds a 9-0-2 record when he’s playing, with his contribution of one goal and nine assists over 11 games.
In other team news, Jesper Wallstedt continues to impress with his signature post-win celebration, while Kirill Kaprizov has recently become the fastest player in Wild history to reach 200 goals. Injuries have affected the team with Marcus Foligno placed on injured reserve, Vinny Hinostroza out for 4-6 weeks due to a lower-body injury, and Marco Rossi sidelined week-to-week with a similar injury. The team plans to rotate goaltenders Gustafsson and Wallstedt moving forward.
Fan Take: Mats Zuccarello’s milestone is a testament to skill and perseverance, especially for undrafted players and international athletes striving to make their mark in the NHL. Achievements like this inspire fans and players alike, highlighting the global growth and competitive depth of hockey, promising an exciting future for the sport.
