Currently sitting at -15, New York Ranger's Mika Zibanejad is now tied for 245th place out of 248 Centers in +/-.
Expectations for the Rangers were at an all-time high during the start of the 2024-25 campaign because the club has the resources to win, and it’s only natural that people get impatient when they see the Blueshirts' disappointing performances recently.
When we say dissapointing, allow us to elaborate — ver the last 10 games, the Rangers have a 2-8-0 record featuring an average of 2.50 goals scored per game. The goals against average in this same span is 4.0, including a goal differential of -15 and shot difference of -28.
Zibenejad, who is known as a good goal scorer, has only scored five goals in 27 games so far this season.
As a result, social media has been particular harsh on the Sweden native.
Walking out of Madison Square Garden and hearing nothing but complaints about the play of Mika Zibanejad and K’Andre Miller. Rangers fans are fed up. #NYR
— Dan Godlewski (@Danthfc_) December 10, 2024
Mika Zibanejad is my least favorite hockey player of all time. Please make him go away from NY forever
— Ryan Landron (@RyanLandron) December 10, 2024
Learning Mika Zibanejad is sensitive is the least surprising news of the day honestly. Have you watched him play the last couple of years?
— Tyler McGillick (@TylerRichard93) December 10, 2024
Journalist Larry Brooks recently was went on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast and talked about where Zibanejad's mentality is at currently.
"I think a lot of the criticism got to . He's very sensitive," Brooks said on the podcast. "Way too sensitive to what other people are saying about him."
"I think a lot of the criticism got to [Zibanejad]. He's very sensitive. Way too sensitive to what other people are saying about him." 😳 @NYP_Brooksie on @spittinchiclets
— Nyr_discussion (@DiscussionNyr) December 10, 2024
You can’t dismiss the fact that there’s a lot of pressure in New York. And if Zibanejad is playing the victim right now, it can’t help things.
But here's the thing — play better so there's no option for anyone to criticize you.
Let's not forget that Zibanejad knows how to play the game and that when he's at his prime, he is quite good. While this year he's only tallied 20 points, Zibanejad currently has 698 total career points and is only one goal shy of 300.
And there's still time for him to get better. I really wouldn't say all hope is lost for him this year. Clearly, he needs to convince himself that before it translates to the ice.