Allegedly Hextall and co passed up the opportunity to get rid of Zucker because the cost was similar to Monohan. I think they're expecting Zucker to be healtheir (and therefore) this year, but if not, it's not worth cap dumping the final year of his deal.
Also, Zucker's NTC probably would keep him out of Ottawa and Anaheim, and I don't see the Wild taking him back.

Why would any team pay to solve your problem? If I'm Guerin, I want at least a 2nd to take a player I absolutely do not need for a year.

You're better off just keeping Zucker and sending down DOC/Archibald and Smith

Zucker cannot process the game fast enough to play with Kaprizov, Zuccarello, Boldy, or Rossi…so what are they supposed to do with him???