Mika Zibanejad's role with the New York Rangers in a world with J.T. Miller on the roster has changed with every shift. He started initially on the wing with Artemi Panarin and Miller, but against the Penguins, he was shifted down the lineup to play center between Chris Kreider and Panarin. He struggled to get the production we'd like from him as a centerman, but playing on the wing with the two Rangers stars got him out of his head and playing on instinct. So where should Mika play?
Right wing
The argument for having him on the wing is interesting. Loading up the top line with him, Panarin, and Miller gives the Rangers a dynamic top line where all three are in danger of doing something special. Last year, Panarin was the driving force on the Rangers' dominant line, but the combination of those three gives the Blueshirts a look they can change games.
It also means Zibanejad's in a position to play with top-end players and increase his production. That's a problem if the Rangers have that $8.5 million cap hit in the bottom six not putting up points; it'll weigh heavily against the cap for the Rangers. Mika needs to be producing wherever he is playing, and having him on the right wing in the top six gives him the best chance to do this.
Center
Mika is a natural centerman. He's one of the most dynamic centers the Rangers have had in the 21st century. He's been a staple down the middle for the Blueshirts since the trade with Ottawa brought him here. Playing him down the middle allows the Rangers to keep him in his best position and keep him ticking over with production. Having him as a second-line center against a more manageable quality of opposition could see the Swede return to his once-dominant status.
There's also the absolute joke of a center core the Rangers would possess with Mika down the middle. J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Vincent Trocheck. One of those would be on the third line, which is comical. The depth down the middle the Blueshirts hold if Zibanejad does play as a center would make the Rangers one of the most terrifying teams in the NHL.