32 thoughts podcaster and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman cleared the air regarding Rangers star forward Mika Zibanejad's trade status.![New York Rangers Mika Zibanejad #nhl #rangers]()
Rumors have been swirling around the Rangers organization that they're willing to move away from Zibanejad's contract but it appears that Nothing is on the horizon.
Friedman answers questions regarding Zibanejad trade rumors
«Obviously, there's been a lot of news, conjecture, and speculation around him,» 32 Thoughts podcast host Elliotte Friedman said about Zibanejad. «I poked around and this is what I can tell you: he has not been asked to submit teams or waive [his no-move clause]. Remember, he has control over this. He has the no-move clause, nothing could happen without Zibanejad's control or approval. He has not been asked to submit teams or waive.» - Elliotte Friedman
Much can change in a short order but it seems that Zibanejad does not appear to be on the move anytime soon.
Peter Baugh of the Athletic also reiterated similar to what Friedman had mentioned back in January as Zibanejad has full control of his situation and can only dictate where he would like to go if a trade was offered.
«The 31-year-old Zibanejad has control over his situation,» wrote The Athletic in January. «His $8.5 million average annual value contract runs through 2029-30, and he has a full no-movement clause until the last year of his deal.
That means he has to approve any trade, plus the Rangers cannot put him on waivers.» - Peter Baugh
That means he has to approve any trade, plus the Rangers cannot put him on waivers.» - Peter Baugh
Mike Sullivan made a special trip to Sweden to visit Zibanejad
Other sources are also explaining that Zibanejad will not be moving from the Rangers which included his wife Irma. She mentioned that newly hired head coach Mike Sullivan made a trip out to Sweden to speak to Zibanejad.
«We just had Mika's new coach [Mike Sullivan] here at our home; he flew over from New York recently,» she said, according to a New York Times translated quote from Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. «We also just got our new home in New York. I'm always shocked about how newspapers just spread things without considering the source.» - Irma Zibanejad
Unless something drastic occurs between now and the beginning of training camp, it's likely that he will remain with the Rangers for the remainder of his deal as he intends to stay with the organization.
The Rangers will get an opportunity to make changes to their roster as the NHL draft is set to begin on June 27th which tends to be a time where trades can occur.
The team along with the rest of the NHL will have their chance at unrestricted free agency which is set to begin on July 1st.
