Mika Zibanejad displays his true colours towards the Rangers when responding to having his role diminished
Photo credit: NHL.com
Mika Zibanejad was once known as one of the Rangers' best players on the ice nightly. Yet the last two seasons we've seen him regress in production and meaningful play. With that comes a diminished role on the ice, he responded by downplaying the notion.
Mika Zibanejad was once considered an elite center in the NHL and was thriving once he arrived in New York. Yet after 2022-2023, the center has had trouble playing up to expectations, and could be there reasons behind it we don't know about.
Either way, he was asked about his diminishing role in the Rangers lineup and would dismiss the notion, and instead focus on the next game.
Keep in mind, the forward usually averages 18:22 TOI nightly.
The veteran forward has struggled to start the season and everything reached a boiling point on Sunday night in a game against the St. Louis Blues when Zibanejad recorded 13:04 minutes, his lowest total since Oct. 27, 2019.
«Honestly, I'm just focusing on today,» Zibanejad said via Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today. «That happened, and we have a new game today. So, that's where I'm putting my energy and focus.»
Which IS a great response, but that is if someone is improving their game nightly. Something we haven't seen out of Zibanejad lately, as his role and his time on ice has decreased significantly, as he played only 13:04 TOI against Jim Montgomery's St. Louis Blues on Sunday.
Zibanejad wasn't the only player to receive a diminished amount of minutes either. Chris Kreider would receive fewer minutes and as a result less responsibility.
Peter Laviolette confirmed that he predetermined reduced Zibanejad's minutes as this move was not an in-game decision.
Chris Kreider also tallied just 15:17 of ice time, way lower than his usual averages while Kaapo Kakko was scratched from the lineup.
Chris Kreider also tallied just 15:17 of ice time, way lower than his usual averages while Kaapo Kakko was scratched from the lineup.
Zibanejad is on pace for 55 points this season, 17 less than his 72 points tallied in 2023-2024.
If the Rangers are to make significant progress in the rankings, they will need him to step-up efforts on the ice.
But news of a toxic environment in the Rangers front office has certainly permeated the airwaves regularly.
GM Chris Drury has had his way with the team, and it seems they're done with him.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 18 | 1504 ANSWERS Mika Zibanejad displays his true colours towards the Rangers when responding to having his role diminished Do you think center Mika Zibanejad is uncomfortable confronting the fact his role is declining with the New York Rangers? | ||
| Yes | 1305 | 86.8 % |
| No | 199 | 13.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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