In unexpected news, the New York Rangers are attempting to keep Mika Zibanejad in the fold, instead of trading him. With GM Chris Drury turning over a significant amount of the roster already, with a new coach in Mike Sullivan, can Mika Zibanejad turn over a new leaf?
Mika Zibanejad is the lone survivor of the BFF line as his best friend, and teammate Chris Kreider, was sent to the Anaheim Ducks, Drury's favorite dumping ground.
Now, with NHL Insider confirming the Rangers aren't moving on from Zibanejad, it seems there is a change of plans.
«It's very clear (the Rangers) are working with Mika Zibanejad,» Friedman said. "(Head coach Mike) Sullivan (went) to meet him. They're trying to figure out a way to make it work, (and) avoid the noise.
«You never know if it'll continue, but the bottom line is, this season is not starting the way the last two did (with trade rumors and speculation).»
«You never know if it'll continue, but the bottom line is, this season is not starting the way the last two did (with trade rumors and speculation).»
This follows rumors of GM Chris Drury asking Zibanejad to waive his NMC in order to be traded to Vancouver, later in the year.
«Obviously there's been a lot of news, conjecture, and speculation around him,» Friedman said of 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.»
While the 32-year forward saw a decline in production, scoring only 62 points (20-42) this season, he'd find his rhythm with center JT Miller.
With a new coach, Mike Sullivan, it's difficult to tell where he'll be placed, whether center or wing. He's been successful flanking Miller, so it's difficult to see why he wouldn't remain there in 2025-26.
Another factor is his mental health, as he, like former teammate K'Andre Miller, admitted the noise surrounding the team wasn't great for his focus, as it bled into his performance this last season.
«I feel like mentally what I went through the first few months was probably the toughest I've ever been through in my career in a different way «There was more to it than that,» Zibanejad said about whether his poor mental state stemmed from confidence. «Obviously, the confidence takes a turn. I think if you follow me and see how I play, you can tell what makes me good and when I play free, but I feel like I didn't do that the first three months.»
Unlike K'Andre Miller, Zibanejad gets a clean slate for the 2025-26 season and has benefited from a rare instance of largesse from GM Chris Drury.
How will he take advantage of it?
