After moving Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks and Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken, the expectation is that General Manager Chris Drury not be finished shaking up the roster. It appears the Rangers next move could involve center Mika Zibanejad.
As first reported by the Fourth Period, citing a source close to the Rangers, David Pagnotta reported on Monday, Dec. 30 that Zibanejad would be open to waiving his NMC for the right environment.
It is unclear, however, if the Rangers and Zibanejad have discussed which teams he would accept a move to, but that conversation could come if Drury finds the right fit.
The 31-year-old Swede, who is in the third year of an eight-year, $68 million contract has been struggling this year. Of 37 game appearences for the 2024-25 season, Zibanejad has only tallied 22 points across seven goals and 15 assists (-22).
Though, on Jan. 2, No. 93 recorded the first goal of the night against the Boston Bruins — recording his 700th career point. The goal was key in the Rangers later claiming the victory, with rookie Brett Berard recording another goal to make the final scoreboard read 2-1.
This was the Rangers' first win in four-games, snapping a losing streak that had them in sole possession of last place in the Metropolitan Division.
MIKA 7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣. pic.twitter.com/Oba9snqd3m
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 3, 2025
Elliotte Friedman also suggested on Monday via a segment on Sportsnet that Zibanejad could be up for grabs and he could be the next big shoe to drop in Manhattan, but noted the team is wide open for business.
“Maybe I’m wrong, maybe it’s not Zibanejad. Maybe they start looking somewhere else,” Friedman said.
The Miller negotiations with NY are probably real
— Chester Ming (@ChesterM222) January 3, 2025
- Kyper whose connected with JTs agent side throwing out Zibanejad
- Friedman: they’re not interested in Mika, want Schneider (sources on both sides)
- Dhaliwal: they’re not interested in K’Andre (sources on both sides)
Analyst Nick Alberga of The Leafs Nation has apparently encouraged the team to target Zibanejad.
“On Monday, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman caused a bit of a stir when he disclosed on Sportsnet Radio in Toronto that it’s his understanding that the Leafs’ preference is to acquire a center with term between now and the trade deadline," Alberga said. "Chris Drury and the New York Rangers should enter the chat. It would be a complicated deal to put together, but at the very least, I think the Leafs should inquire about Mika Zibanejad’s availability.”
His contract currently includes a full no-move clause (NMC), but it has been said that he could be willing to waive his clause for the right team, facilitating a trade.