A few weeks ago, the New York Rangers revealed they were considering parting ways with several players from their roster. The three names that were mentioned frequently were Jacob Trouba, Chris Kreider, and Mika Zibanejad.
With Trouba already traded to the Anaheim Ducks, it now seems that Zibanejad is the next player on the Rangers’ list to be moved.
Zibanejad’s Trade Speculation
According to reports from Marco D’Amico at RG.org, the Rangers are actively shopping Mika Zibanejad, with D’Amico stating, “He’s out there for sure.” He also cited a source who mentioned, “They’re not necessarily trying to get rid of him, but they’ve made it clear he could be available for the right price.”
Further in the report, D’Amico added that the same source revealed trade discussions have taken place between the Rangers and a team from the Western Conference.
“They discussed him, but I’m not sure there’s a match there. I think it was more the Rangers continuing to gauge his value on the market.”
If Mika Zibanejad is eventually traded, it will be interesting to see what the Rangers receive in return, especially considering that Jacob Trouba’s trade return included a depth defenseman and a mid-round draft pick.
Zibanejad has been with the Rangers for the past nine seasons. This season, he has registered five goals and 14 assists for 19 points in 26 games. He is also signed to a contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $8.5 million over eight years.
Who Might Be Interested in Zibanejad?
Mika Zibanejad still has plenty of strong hockey ahead of him. However, after nine years with the same organization, things can become stagnant, and a change of scenery might benefit both him and the Rangers.
The teams likely to show interest in Zibanejad are similar to those that pursued Jacob Trouba. These could include the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators (where he was drafted), Buffalo Sabres, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Additionally, some middle-of-the-pack teams, like the Nashville Predators, might also be open to shaking up their core and making a move for him.
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