Mika Zibanejad’s Resurgence Puts Rangers at a Crossroads
The New York Rangers are at a pivotal moment. There’s a growing sense around the league that, outside of Igor Shesterkin, Adam Fox, and maybe J.T.
Miller, just about everyone on the roster could be in play. General Manager Chris Drury has seen enough from this core over the last 18 months to know something has to give.
The team’s recent trajectory isn’t cutting it, and Drury appears ready to shake things up-potentially in a big way.
He’s done it before. Barclay Goodrow, Jacob Trouba, and Chris Kreider have all been part of past shake-ups, either pushed out or moved into new roles as Drury tried to reshape the identity of the team. And after a frustrating 2024-25 campaign, it looked like Mika Zibanejad might be next on that list.
But Zibanejad stayed-and now, he’s thriving.
A Bounce-Back Year at Just the Right Time
Zibanejad, 32, is having the kind of season that turns heads. With 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists) in 48 games, he’s producing just under a point per game and showing flashes of the elite two-way center the Rangers bet on when they inked him to an eight-year, $68 million extension back in 2021. That deal, which runs through the 2028-29 season, includes a full no-movement clause, giving Zibanejad complete control over his future.
That’s where things get interesting.
According to league insider David Pagnotta, Zibanejad’s name has started to resurface in trade conversations-at least from the outside looking in. Teams are reportedly starting to poke around, wondering if the veteran center might be more open to a move than he was last summer, when chatter about a potential trade first began to circulate.
Back then, Zibanejad made it clear he wasn’t interested in leaving New York. Whether or not the Rangers ever formally approached him about waiving his no-move clause is unclear, but the message was consistent: he wanted to stay. Now, with the team potentially heading in a new direction-one that could involve moving on from longtime linemate Artemi Panarin-the door may not be as firmly shut.
The Leverage Lies with Zibanejad
From a front office perspective, the idea of selling high on Zibanejad makes a lot of sense. He’s playing some of his best hockey in years, and his value around the league is likely at its peak. If Drury is serious about retooling the roster and reconfiguring the team’s leadership core, Zibanejad could fetch a significant return-especially with contenders always on the lookout for a top-six center who can produce in all situations.
But this isn’t a typical trade scenario. Thanks to that no-movement clause, Zibanejad holds all the leverage.
If he wants to stay in New York, that’s the end of the conversation. If he’s open to exploring new opportunities, then the Rangers can start having real discussions.
Until then, it’s all speculation.
And that’s what makes this such a delicate situation for the Rangers. On one hand, they’re trying to stay competitive while also building something more sustainable. On the other, they have a veteran leader who’s playing inspired hockey and has earned the right to dictate his own path.
Looking Ahead
The Rangers aren’t in full teardown mode, but the writing is on the wall: change is coming. Whether that includes Zibanejad or not will depend entirely on how he sees his role in the team’s future.
If he believes in the direction Drury is taking, he might double down on his commitment to New York. But if he senses the window is closing-or if the team is headed for a longer-term reset-he could decide it’s time for a fresh start.
Either way, the Rangers are walking a tightrope. Zibanejad’s resurgence has given them options, but it’s also made the stakes higher.
This isn’t just about moving a contract or opening cap space. It’s about deciding what kind of team they want to be-and who they want leading them into that next chapter.