Mika Zibanejad, center for the New York Rangers, has a full no-movement clause until the end of the 2029-30 season. This means he must approve any trade and the Rangers can't put him on waivers.
As of presstime, Zibanejad has not waived his no-move clause. This gives him control over his situation and makes it difficult for the Rangers to trade him. The Swedish player has also said that he feels he has earned the right to his no-movement clause.
“There’s a reason why there are clauses like that. It’s something that was negotiated and earned," Zibanejad previously said. "My focus has always been here. My focus has never been on anything else.”
Why the Rangers shouldn't want to trade Mika Zibanejad
Given recent developments, it's not like the Blueshirts should even want to trade Zibanejad anyway.
The New York Rangers traded Ryan Lindgren, Jimmy Vesey and prospect Hank Kempf to the Colorado Avalanche for Juuso Parssinen, Calvin de Haan, a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick on March 1st. The Blueshirts actually had discussions to acquire Parssinen while with the Predators before the Avalanche acquired him, and they view him as an immediate option at center. In 37 games, he has 11 points this year between his time in Nashville and Colorado. If he performs well to close out the year with the Rangers, he could perhaps go into 2025-26 as the team’s third-line center, which would allow the team to keep Zibanejad at top line right wing.
Let Blueshirt fans also not forget the recent uptick in production from Zibanejad. According to the official NHL game logs, Zibanejad has tallied 15 points including four goals. Many across social media say his play has elevated ever since the trade with Vancouver to acquire J.T. Miller.
Mika Zibanejad has elevated his play since the J.T. Miller trade #NYR pic.twitter.com/qZJCQdhRky
— Talkin’ Rangers (@talkin_rangers) March 4, 2025
Additionally not only has Zibanejad seen a growth in points but he has also seen a growth in physicality — as was on display against Nashville.
All in all, Zibanejad'sperformance has improved since he was moved to right wing on the New York Rangers' first line. He's been playing his best hockey of the year, recording 16 points in his past 20 games. Under no circumstances should the Rangers want to do anything that disrupt that or the rest of the first line.
Trading Zibanejad would not make sense, especially since the New York Rangers jumped ahead of the Red Wings in the standings and are back in the playoff race.