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New York Rangers Report Card: Mika Zibanejad

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers reacts after scoring the game winning goal in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers reacts after scoring the game winning goal in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 25: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2019 in New York City. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 25: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2019 in New York City. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Mika Zibanejad put it all together in 2018-19 for the New York Rangers as he established himself as a true elite center in the NHL.

Mika Zibanejad: Grade A+

We’ve left the best for last when it comes to our 2018-19 New York Rangers Report Cards as we assess the final Blueshirt on the roster before moving on to those players who were moved at the trade deadline. Today we shift our focus on to Mika Zibanejad who was without doubt the franchise’s MVP this year.

His Season

Every team in the NHL craves a bona fide NHL elite center and they are right to do so, such players are as important as a quarterback is in the NFL. You need a No.1 center in order to be successful and contend for championships.

And the New York Rangers have got their superstar center in Mika Zibanejad who morphed into one of the best forwards in the NHL. The good news is that the best could still be yet to come.

Zibanejad put this rebuild on his shoulders from day one of training camp and proved night in and night out that he wants to be one of the faces of this franchise going forward.

Playing on the top line with Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello, and then Pavel Buchnevich after the latter was traded, Zibanejad was lights out and rode a hot hand for the majority of the year.

He combined his sublime vision for the game with his excellent stickhandling abilities to great effect on a nightly basis, and he also wreaked havoc with his deadly release when it came to shooting the puck.

The 26-year-old was without doubt the highlight of the year for the rebuilding Rangers and he finished 2018-19 having set career highs in a number of categories.

Zibanejad set career highs in goals (30), assists (44), points (74) and power play points (23), in addition to total ice time and faceoff wins, and was also awarded the prestigious Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Adding to the lengthy list of honors for the right shot was the fact that he became the first New York Ranger center to score at least 30 goals in a single season since Eric Lindros achieved the feat with 37 in 2001-02.

Zibanejad also became the first Rangers player in franchise history to tally a point on 10 consecutive goals scored by the Blueshirts over five games. He’s also one of three centers in franchise history to have recorded at least 30 goals in a season when 25 years or younger (joining Mark Pavelich and Darren Turcotte).

What was also impressive was Zibanejad’s production on the power play. He had 11 goals and 23 points and was a potent weapon with the man advantage.

He also logged monster minutes, averaging 20:34 a night which is exactly what you want from your top stars.

The offensive production was magnificent and, now the bar has been set, the Rangers will be hoping that they have their own version of Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon.

But it would be remiss to not focus on other aspects of the game in which Zibanejad thrived and flourished, namely his 830 faceoff wins which set a career high.

Zibanejad, standing at 6’2″, excels in the defensive zone too and isn’t afraid to put his size to good use and help set the tone for his team. He had 69 takeaways in 2018-19, blocked 66 shots and dished out 134 hits.

This Rangers rebuild is preparing to enter its next phase now and there is no doubt that Mika Zibanejad will be at the very heart of it.

WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 12: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers celebrates his third period goal against the Winnipeg Jets with teammates at the bench at the Bell MTS Place on February 12, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 12: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers celebrates his third period goal against the Winnipeg Jets with teammates at the bench at the Bell MTS Place on February 12, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Why the grade

Mika Zibanejad is approaching his peak years and if 2018-19 was a sign of things to come then the New York Rangers can be very excited indeed about the future.

Crucially perhaps was the fact that Zibanejad was a consistent force this year, he very rarely had an off night and truly stood alone in what was an offensively anaemic team.

He clearly loves playing for the Rangers and he developed as a true leader for the franchise in 2018-19, wearing the ‘A’ on his chest for every home game and the occasional road game, as well as leading by example on the ice in addition to being an approachable figure off it.

Signed through until 2022, Zibanejad is primed to become a cornerstone piece of this rebuild and help lead it to the promised land with the ultimate aim of competing for and winning Stanley Cups.

Mika Zibanejad gets an A+ grade because he was without doubt the team’s MVP all year long having become the stud No.1 center this franchise has craved for a while.

He’s set the bar now and all eyes will be on him heading into training camp as he prepares to carry what will be an even younger New York Rangers team in 2019-20.

Mika Zibanejad was stellar in 2018-19 and the stage is now set for the silky Swede to explode further next year and truly cement his status as an NHL superstar.

The numbers

Games Played: 82
Goals: 30
Assists: 44
Points: 74
Power Play Goals: 11
Power Play Points: 23
Game Winning Goals: 5
Shots: 236
Penalty Minutes: 47
Plus / Minus: -12
Corsi For: 48.4%
ATOI: 20:34
Faceoff Wins: 842
Faceoff Win Percentage: 49.6
Blocked Shots: 66
Hits: 134
Takeaways: 69

More. Trade target: Andreas Johnsson. light

Next Report Card:  Kevin Hayes

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