Major Development: Chris Drury expected to ship out underperforming $68M-forward in July
Photo credit: NHLPA
GM Chris Drury and the New York Rangers could explore trading Mika Zibanejad. His wording in a recent interview with the New York Post's Mollie Walker was that Zibanejad could be open to waiving his no-movement clause.
Mika Zibanejad has earned a hefty salary at $8.5 million AAV over an eight-year period. His past performances have given him a say in where he'll go next with a no-movement clause attached to his contract.
In a report by New York Post insider Molly Walker, Zibanejad addressed his future ahead of the Rangers' final game, saying:
«I know what my contract says. Both parties agreed to it, and like I said, I think I've earned it. Until it's time to adjust it, I have no plans of going anywhere. I've invested a lot of years here.»
«I know what my contract says. Both parties agreed to it, and like I said, I think I've earned it. Until it's time to adjust it, I have no plans of going anywhere. I've invested a lot of years here.»
Now, with a season where he performed below expectations, could we see Zibanejad traded in July?
While he remains fully committed to New York, his play this season didn't show what he's truly capable of.
After a 91-point season in 2022-2023, he's struggled to post those kinds of numbers, with a total of 61 points scored (20 goals, 42 assists) in 2024-2025.
A sharp decline in production, whilst the Rangers treaded water all year.
There was a report earlier in the year that he would've been part of a trade that sent him to the Vancouver Canucks with Filip Chytil for J.T. Miller, but subsequently shot it down.
Zibanejad's NMC and lack of production make him a tough player to trade, as the Rangers would have to retain salary to sweeten any deal involving Zibanejad.
At 32, it won't be easy to find takers for an aging center whose production is steadily declining.
With the team in win-now mode, the Rangers could be motivated to move Zibanejad if his production in 2025-2026 mirrors last season.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 28 | 2186 ANSWERS Major Development: Chris Drury expected to ship out underperforming $68M-forward in July Do you think GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers will have problems trading center Mika Zibanejad? | ||
| Yes | 1594 | 72.9 % |
| No | 592 | 27.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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