There have been doubts about the future of Mika Zibanejad in the New York Rangers organization. But with his latest performance in the IIHF World Championships, we can quit doubting him.
While Mika Zibanejad had a disappointing year in 2024-2025 as his production declined, he seemed to have found his game again in Sweden.
He suited up for his home country to take on some of the best players in the international hockey world, including some of his teammates.
Zibanejad and Sweden would win a Bronze Medal over Denmark, with a 6-2 win, and would score the clinching goal for his team.
«It was obviously tough, it is a tough reset from yesterday after being so disappointing,» Zibanejad said. «Just the way we played yesterday, it wasn't hard to have a mindset of we have to play better and we owe it to ourselves. I thought we ended in the best way we could with the situation being.»
Not only would he score the game-winning goal, he'd play in front of his hometown fans, in Huddinge, Sweden. A nice way to end the year, after playing in front of fans full of aggression in Madison Square Garden.
He found his game and his confidence, which increased his production as he tied fifth in scoring for Sweden and ninth in the tournament with five goals.
Zibanejad, who had a "down" 60+ point year in 2024-2025, showed signs of decline, like the rest of his teammates. While not an excuse, a 60-point season for anyone takes some skill.
He'd have to suffer through massive amounts of hate expressed on social media this year.
While we can't claim Zibanejad is back for good, this is a way to end the season on a positive note, for both himself and Rangers fans.
Scoring 62 points (20 goals, 42 assists) and winning a Bronze Medal is nothing to sneeze at, considering the tough competition in the IIHF this season.
«It's going to be a memory with me for a lifetime,» Zibanejad said about playing in Stockholm, Sweden for the World Championship. «Even though we didn't win gold, we got the bronze medal. It's a medal and we got to do it in front of our families, our friends, our fans.
Keep in mind, he wasn't the only Rangers with a bad season, it was the whole team.
