Wife Irma Zibanejad was quick to shoot down rumors this postseason that the New York Rangers would be moving on from forward Mika. According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, it looks as if Zibanejad will survive the team's ongoing retool as they never asked him to waive his NMC clause in the first place.![Mika Zibanejad]()
While Mika Zibanejad scored 62 points (20-42), it seemed like a massive decline in production. For all intents and purposes, it was uncharacteristic of the superstar forward who scored 91 points in 2022-2023.
Now with Mike Sullivan at the helm, it appears the Rangers will be giving him a second chance as the new Head Coach took the time to come visit the couple and get to know Mika and his wife.
«His wife said on Instagram the other day that Mike Sullivan had flown out there to Sweden to meet with him,» Friedman said. «That doesn't happen unless that is the initial goal here. Sullivan wouldn't take all that time, the Rangers wouldn't send him out there if their goal was to get rid of the player.»
We go more in-depth with the story as New York Post's Larry Brooks gave us some more insight into the infamous Chris Kreider trade, as Zibanejad saw it play out before his very eyes.
«Obviously, there's been a lot of news, conjecture, and speculation around him,» Friedman said about Zibanejad on the 32 Thoughts podcast. «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.»
The $8.5 million forward was brought into discussions about moving Kreider, which might explain how he's managed to survive this far: the team still considers him a part of their future.
Since he was adamant about wanting to stay in New York as trades occurred, and time progressed, it makes sense after all.
Zibanejad has slowly regained his confidence after playing in the IIHF World Championships with Sweden, and could find himself on an upswing at the start of the NHL season.
Could it be a rebound year for Zibanejad under Mike Sullivan?
