New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad stuns fans as he reflects on his rough Season
Photo credit: The Hockey Writers
The New York Rangers thought they had a superstar in Mika Zibanejad. But this season he's in a slump and has been struggling. His statement about his game shows us he's accountable to himself and is striving to do better.
Mika Zibanejad has struggled producing for the New York Rangers all season. In 50 games with the teams, he's only put up 29 points (9G, 20 A) and has failed to live up to expectations.
He's been bounced up and down the lineup with the Rangers as a result, and was demoted from the teams top power-play unit.
The number one-center is no longer number one, as Vinnie Troecheck has taken that role from him.
«Creating chances, being on the attack and I think being good defensively - all the things that everyone expected from me,» Zibanejad told The Post of what it looks like to him when he's at his best. «That doesn't happen, and then you guys talk about it and you ask me about this and that. All the things that you guys are expecting, I think that's kind of been things that I feel have been showing more now.
«But also for my own sake, I think it's just what I'm expecting out of myself. Not just expecting, but what I know I can do. It's been better.»
«But also for my own sake, I think it's just what I'm expecting out of myself. Not just expecting, but what I know I can do. It's been better.»
12 of his 29 points this season have come at five-on-five and he's been a dud on the power-play. Only scoring three goals on the man advantage.
If Zibanejad's season ended unexpectedly, he'd finish with a career-worst (-25), which he's only seen once in 2017-2018 at (-23).
He's been in an slump, which isn't a players fault and Zibanejad has hammered himself about the lack of production we've seen in the past.
It doesn't help that he's currently shooting at 8.2%.
«When things don't go well, you're always trying to look for an answer,» Zibanejad said. «Everyone is asking, why is that happening, why is this happening. It's not like it's the first time in the history of a professional career that I haven't played well. It's not the first time, it happens. Do I want it to happen? No. But I'm trying to work. The month of January has been about being resilient, working and trusting myself and not doubting what I'm capable of doing - and just play. Obviously, when the team plays better as well, it's easier when you win games, it's easier.
Despite his struggle this season, Head Coach Peter Laviolette has decided to give him ample playing time in the hopes of kickstarting his game.
Could the faith of Laviolette end up paying off, considering the fact he's had a difficult time playing on both sides of the ice, evidenced by his +/-.?
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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