NHL Analyst shockingly links New York Rangers star forward to this Eastern Conference team
NHL analyst has shockingly linked New York Rangers superstar Mika Zibanejad to this Eastern Conference team as GM Chris Drury is looking to make another drastic move.
Mika Zibanejad has averaged about 30 goals a season for the past seven years. However this year, Zibanejad has hit a bit of a rut as he only managed to tally six goals and 21 points in 36 games.
Definitely a tough situation, as the 31-year old still has another 5+ years on his $8.5 million AAV contract, making him a harder trade candidate.
So ultimately it would come down to which team is desperate for another solid center. According to analyst Nick Alberga of The Leafs Nation, the Toronto Maple Leafs would be at the top of that list, especially with Auston Matthews continuously being sidelined.
Along with this, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman announced on The Fan Hockey Show on Monday that the Leafs preference is not a rental.
-Elliotte Friedman
Here's what Nick Alberga had to propose about the Maple Leafs acquiring Mika Zibanejad, despite having 5+ years of his contract remaining:
One source with strong knowledge of the situation indicated to me that the 31-year-old pivot is available for trade and is willing to waive his no movement clause for the right spot.
On paper, for all intents and purposes, Zibanejad would tick a lot of boxes for Craig Berube and company up the middle. He's big, he's dynamic, he shoots right, and maybe most notably, he's not a ghost in the postseason. In 74 career playoff games, the Swede has tallied 63 points.»
Definitely a «complicated deal» as the Maple Leafs have will have a few tough decisions to make due to their cap situation, considering Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Matthew Knies, are all working on contract negotiations.
So if the Rangers truly wanted this to happen they might have to retain some of Mike's salary.
