Mika Zibanejad Moved Off New York Rangers Top Power Play Unit

Death, taxes and Mika Zibanejad occupying the left circle on the New York Rangers top power play unit.

These were the three guarantees of life for the Rangers, or so it seemed. Peter Baugh of the Athletic noted during the club’s practice on Sunday that Head Coach Peter Laviolette made a decision to modify the club’s top power play group, shifting Zibanejad to the second unit.

Following practice on Sunday, Zibanejad was asked if he was disappointed to be taken off PP1.

“I don’t think there’s time for that right now. This has nothing to do with me personally or something that I’m going to make about myself. We’re not in a place in our season to feel sorry for yourself," said Zibanejad. "It’s a different opportunity, it’s another opportunity for that unit with Laffy coming up — and deservedly so. Honestly, just for me, to help the unit that I’m playing on and we go from there.”

The lethargic Swede was briefly moved off the top unit at the end of Friday’s 6-2 thumping in Tampa Bay, with Alexis Lafreniere usurping No. 93 towards the end of the contest. Lafreniere, who's 21 points on the season equals Zibanejad's output (in far fewer opportunities with the man advantage) skated on the top unit on Sunday despite owning just 7 power play goals to his name in 333 career games played.

The club clearly needed an adjustment on the power play, with the Blueshirts allowing two shorthanded tallies against the Lightning in addition to extending their power play woes to a putrid 0-for-20 with the man advantage over the last seven games and dropping the Rangers to a bottom-third spot in power play percentage on the season.

It’s no coincidence that Zibanejad, who has relied heavily on the power play for production over the past few seasons, has been held off the scoresheet during this seven-game catastrophe. In that time frame, Zibanejad has a -7 rating, bringing his season total to -21, with only three other players posting a lower mark this season league-wide.

The Bigger Issue

Zibanejad’s likely demotion causes a larger problem for the player and the organization. The struggling center has routinely averaged over three minutes of power play time per game in his Rangers career, while his 105 power play points ranks 3rd on the club since the start of the 2021-22 season, behind only Artemi Panarin (129) and Adam Fox (106).

In that same span, Zibanejad has recorded a total of 265 points, with his power play totals accounting for approximately 40% of his cumulative production. Which represents a larger issue. How can the Rangers organization, who are in desperate need of a culture change, garner value from a player who relies so heavily on the power play for points by removing him from his usual comfort zone?

Let’s be clear, Zibanejad’s performance this season (and frankly beyond this campaign) has not warranted top power play minutes. But for a player production is so heavily dependent on the power play, a reduction in power play time further limits his value. Which brings us to the harsh reality: Zibanejad, whose contract runs for another five seasons carrying an $8.5 million cap hit, has essentially become the richest penalty killer in the NHL.

His removal from the top unit, combined with an already underwhelming output at 5v5 play, leaves the team with an $8.5 million anchor around their neck. This isn’t to suggest the club shoves a square peg in a round hole, but a solution to a top power play unit that includes No. 93 would certainly benefit them more than a substitution for his presence on the group going forward.

Either that, or can Zibanejad possibly redefine his game? Though a regular penalty killer, Zibanejad’s 5v5 defense has been suspect, especially this season. But can the Swedish pivot fully commit to a shutdown role in which he is willing to accept lower offensive production (which is already the case) and more of a physical toll on the body to negate the opposition’s top players?

While an $8.5 million cap hit is rich for a shutdown center, it could help regain some value and keep him a meaningful contributor to the team, albeit not offensively.