Last season was a rough one for New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad.
For starters, his production was not what it should have been for someone who is being paid to be the team’s number one center. Zibanejad, 32, had 62 points (20 goals and 42 assists) while playing in all 82 games last season.
While those numbers are not terrible, it was Zibanejad’s second straight season in which his numbers took a dip. Here are his point totals for the prior three seasons:
- 2021-22: 81 points on 29 goals and 52 assists
- 2022-23: 91 points on 39 goals and 52 assists
- 2023-24: 72 points on 26 goals and 46 assists
As one can see, while the last two seasons have not been terrible in terms of production, they are not what the Rangers and their fans are used to. This is someone who was a point-per-game player, so last season’s numbers were certainly disappointing.
Secondly, he was not reliable when it came to the other side of the puck. He finished the season with a +/- -22, which is somewhat astounding considering the numbers he put up in this category in three straight seasons before the last one:
- 2021-22: + 30
- 2022-23: +25
- 2023-24: +15
Since being traded to the Rangers before the 2016-17 season, Zibanejad has been a solid two-way player. He would break up plays, backcheck hard, and create offense from terrific defensive play.
Lastly, some things happened off the ice last season that clearly impacted the way Zibanejad played. The trading of both Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow certainly hurt his psyche, and when you couple that with his friend Chris Kreider’s name being out on the trade market, it created a very hurt and maybe even depressed, and unfocused Zibanejad.
While everything mentioned above is obviously terrible when it comes to Zibanejad, it is time for him, the organization, and their fans to wipe the slate clean. The upcoming season is going to be one in which Zibanejad turns things around for several reasons.
For starters, he will more than likely start the season by playing with J.T. Miller. In a piece for NHL.com, writer Dan Rosen spoke with new Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan about Zibanejad and what he thinks about keeping him with Miller.
“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.”
This should be good news for everyone, as Zibanejad was very productive while playing on Miller’s line. While with Miller, Zibanejad had 33 points on 11 goals and 22 assists in 32 games.
Another reason why Zibanejad is going to bounce back this season is because of the team’s new head coach. Under former head coach Peter Laviolette, Zibanejad’s numbers took somewhat of a dive.
Sullivan brings a new opportunity for Zibanejad to regain his offensive drive. In the same NHL.com piece mentioned above, it was revealed that Sullivan went to Sweden to visit with Zibanejad and go over a few things, which means that the two are already establishing a good relationship, and Sullivan is already thinking about what he can do to put Zibanejad in a position to have success.
“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 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.”
Lastly, Zibanejad has it in him to be a dominant offensive player. This is someone who has been extremely productive with the Blueshirts and someone who can control a game offensively if put in the right position to do so.
Now is the time for Zibanejad, the team, and their fans to be positive and wipe out what happened last season. If Zibanejad can do that and focus on what he does best, there should be no doubt that he will have a very productive upcoming season.
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