The New York Rangers are giving Mika Zibanejad a new role. Zibanejad, the longest-tenured Ranger on the team, will now play wing instead of center, per new head coach Mike Sullivan.
NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen spoke with Sullivan last week regarding the Rangers. Per Sullivan, Zibanejad said he had begun to develop chemistry playing alongside J.T. Miller’s right wing late last season. When asked about Zibanejad’s role next season, Sullivan mentioned that he’s embracing the transition to wing.
“As part of that conversation one of the things he expressed to me is even though he lined up on the wing on the face-offs, he felt they [Zibanejad and Miller] were interchangeable in the sense that they could read off each other,” Sullivan said.
“They both have a comfort level playing down low in the defensive zone. They both have a comfort level in the face-off circle with one being a righty and one being a lefty. He expressed that to me. I would envision us exploring that combination to see if they can potentially build on the chemistry that they’ve already built.”
Last season, Zibanejad scored below 70 points for the first time in five seasons, ending the year with 20 goals and 42 assists for 62 points. There’s always a chance he’ll bounce back, but, at 32 years of age, Sullivan wants him to play to his strengths moving forward.
Zibanejad Could Center Own Line
Having said that, there’s a chance that Sullivan gives Zibanejad his own line. Daily Faceoff has Zibanejad penciled in as the second line right wing, but Sullivan believes Zibanejad could still play center.
“Those are three pretty high-quality centermen,” Sullivan said. “I think it’s going to play itself out, but certainly the conversations I’ve had with Mika to this point I would envision us exploring keeping Mika with J.T.”
The Rangers currently have Juuso Parssinen centering Gabriel Perrault and Jonny Brodzinski on the third line.
Rangers Explored Moving Zibanejad
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period dropped by TSN Radio this week. He noted that “almost everything would be under consideration” if the Rangers don’t get off to a hot start. One name that popped up a few times is Zibanejad’s.
“Zibanejad has a no move clause,” Pagnotta said. “They’ve explored that around the league, but he’s been pretty adamant he doesn’t wanna move.” Zibanejad has five years left on his eight-year contract making $8.5M per season. His no-movement clause becomes a modified no-trade clause in 2029-2030 during the last year of his deal.
Former NHL broadcaster Larry Hirsch believes that the Rangers need to move on from Zibanejad as soon as possible. “If – as it appears – Mika would rather be a second-line winger, that tells me the big-salaried player doesn’t want the responsibility that goes with a number one center,” Hirsch said on an interview with The Hockey News.
“It also seems as if the Garden brass is treating him with kid gloves, as if he’s a latter-day Wayne Gretzky. Sullivan may have to deal with the possibility that Zibanejad will be a distraction in the room, especially with the younger players.”
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