If there’s a team right now that’s in dire straits regardless of the division or conference, it’s the NY Rangers. It’s getting to the point that there are grumblings that the championship window has closed and that the team needs a fresh start, and that’s a major, major red flag at midseason.
Personally, I’ll say this much: The Rangers need to get their act together now, or else they’ll have no choice but to start rebuilding. There hasn’t been a more disappointing team this year, and for a group that is the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winner, this was the one scenario that one would have rendered unthinkable.
I’d explain why that’s the case, but I don’t feel that I need to. The fans are wise enough to know, so I’ll save them the heartache of reading deeper into it. Instead, let’s focus on the talented group of players that are still in town. While they all need to kick it up a gear or two, one player needs to start going all-out if this team is to be saved.
The player I’m thinking about is none other than Mika Zibanejad, who’s been struggling more than anyone else not named Chris Kreider. Last season, Zibanejad was reliable, and alongside stars like Artemi Panarin, was a big reason the team won the Presidents’ Trophy and embarked on a deep playoff run.
NY Rangers need Mika Zibanejad to rediscover his game and fast
So far, Mika Zibanejad’s season has been a nightmare in and of itself. While players like Artemi Panarin and Will Cuylle can at least they’ve done well statistically, that hasn’t been the case for Zibanejad.
As of Monday afternoon, Zibanejad’s played in 35 contests but has just 21 points and a measly six goals to show for it. The most compelling statistic might be his minus-21, which is by far the worst mark on the Blueshirts.
Yeah, he’s reliable in the faceoff dot, but that’s been about as good as it’s gotten for the longtime New York Ranger, who is a far cry from what he was last season. No, he wasn’t as productive as he was in 2022-23, but Zibanejad still ended the year with 72 points and 26 goals throughout 81 contests.
This season, he’s on track for just 49 if things keep going the way they are, with 14 goals to show for it. In a best-case scenario, these are middling numbers, but for a player of Zibanejad’s caliber, they’re beyond bad.