Mika Zibanejad issues shocking statement towards the New York Rangers that sparks major concerns
Photo credit: Sports Illustrated
It didn't take long for the dominoes to start falling in the New York Rangers organization after the firing of Peter Laviolette. Now, forward Mika Zibanejad wants some communication with the front office. Is this too much of a demand for Drury to meet?
In light of the way the Rangers performed this season, you'd expect the team and the front-office to have a better understanding of each others goals and plans.
However, Jim Biringer of Full Press Hockey, believes that that kind of ask if too entitled for a locker room riddled with chaos from the start to finish of 2024-2025.
The uneasiness in the locker room showed on the ice as a lack of confidence, and two leaders exited the organization by attrition: Barclay Goodrow (waived and claimed by San Jose) and Jacob Trouba (traded to Anaheim).
Drury would cement unrest in the locker room after putting out a leaguewide memo that stated they were open for business, and that Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba were available.
«It starts with us players. We have to take ownership of what we do and how we go about things, but I think it has to be cohesive with everyone,» Zibanejad said to the media last Monday at their breakup day. «This organization doesn't work without the players. The organization, for us players, doesn't work for the people that work above us. We have to work together, as well, and we have to look at it and we have to talk about it.»
Included in the memo was the underperforming Top-six forward Mika Zibanejad.
Now we see the culmination of the lack of communication between the two parties. GM Chris Drury rules by intimidation and fear, whether he likes to admit it or not.
Biringer feels that the statement was made with the intent for the players to take over in part for GM decision-making.
Whereas this writer feels it is more a statement of collaboration, rather than the intent of entitlement over the decision-making process when it comes to personnel.
GM Chris Drury's decision-making gave the Rangers a 39-36-7 record, 5th in the Metropolitan Division, and no wild-card spot in 2025.
He should be fired.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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AVRIL 28 | 1536 ANSWERS Mika Zibanejad issues shocking statement towards the New York Rangers that sparks major concerns Do you think forward Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers is asking too much in that statement, or is he intent on making decisions on GM Chris Drury's behalf? | ||
| Yes | 881 | 57.4 % |
| No | 655 | 42.6 % |
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