Mika Zibanejad reveals mental struggles and takes full accountability for his mistakes
Photo credit: The Hockey news
The New York Rangers and Mika Zibanejad are on the struggle bus together. While the forward is currently on a 64-point pace this season, by any measure this is a significant decline in production from the last two years.
Of course, last night, saw him leave the ice, in an awkward manner and would go scoreless as the Winnipeg Jets thumped the Rangers, 6-3 on home ice.
In the last ten games, he has 8 points( 1 G, 7 A) and while these don't sound like chump change, Zibanejad has high expectations for himself, along with Peter Laviolette.
The quote shows how much the game affected his psyche. It sounds more or less like he's been in his head lately, and while he's produced 4 assists in the last 5 games, again people expect more.
The pressure on the New York Rangers is mounting this season, as fans expect a return to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
While it's arguable the team is short-handed, defensively as they were unable to stop the top team in the NHL last night.
Offensively it's not much better when your top stars are struggling, so what can Peter Laviolette do?
«I can't speak for Mika,» head coach Peter Laviolette said when asked if he felt the Swede was getting frustrated. «We count on Mika. He's an impact player for us. Not him, but sometimes when you are pushing on offense to try and make things happen, then things can go the other way for us. Like they did for us tonight as a group, not specifically speaking about him.»
Could easing him off of his responsibilities be part of the solution for the New York Rangers? They could decrease his ice time, and sub-Alexis Lafreniere on the 1st power-play unit for example.
Another idea that we could entertain is something serious, is he battling through an injury? Considering the fact he removed himself from the ice abruptly during the 2nd period should give Laviolettle and the Ranger staff pause.
Either way, he has taken accountability, but now comes time for the solution for Laviolette and the Rangers.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 13 | 1164 ANSWERS Mika Zibanejad reveals mental struggles and takes full accountability for his mistakes Should the Rangers demote Mika Zibanejad until he finds his game again? | ||
| Yes | 639 | 54.9 % |
| No | 525 | 45.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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