Mika Zibanejad Stuns Fans Following the New York Rangers Very First Four Games Of The 2025-26 Season
Photo credit: Harrison Barden-Imagn Images
The first four games of the regular season have concluded for the New York Rangers. Is there a reason to give fans in Madison Square Garden confidence in forward Mika Zibanejad? After the last stretch, let's examine if it's warranted.
Remy Mastey of The Hockey News believes that there's a reason to be optimistic for Mika Zibanejad's 2025-26 campaign.
The last season affected him mentally, as he started off slow and was unable to capture the production of his past.
While he'd score 62 points (20-42) and would be a 20-goal scorer, he hadn't reached the heights we'd expected of him.
This season, we've seen him do the exact opposite, generating offense, and he has been aggressive under Mike Sullivan's new system.
Mike Sullivan Compliments Mika Zibanejad's New Aggressive Playstyle
With Vinnie Trocheck out, Mika Zibanejad has embraced the next man-up mentality for his team and provided the kind of reliable play we've wanted for some time.
Head Coach Mike Sullivan complimented him on his efforts:
«I think Mika has been terrific,» Sullivan said. «He's all over the ice, he drives offense, he defends hard. I think there's a level of physicality to him right now. That's something that we tried to challenge Mika before training camp even started, because he's capable there, both with the puck offensively and just challenging people hanging on the pucks, forcing them to have to defend him, and then defensively, getting into people and trying to create separation from the puck.
«I think he's driving offense, and I think he's defending hard. He's a very cerebral player. He has a high hockey IQ. He's always in the right spots. I think he's added another level of physicality to his game on both sides of the puck that makes him hard to play against.»
«I think he's driving offense, and I think he's defending hard. He's a very cerebral player. He has a high hockey IQ. He's always in the right spots. I think he's added another level of physicality to his game on both sides of the puck that makes him hard to play against.»
Zibanejad has found new life in the New York Rangers lineup, playing on the PK, power-play, and centering the line of Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere.
He now has a vital role in the team's offense, as he leads the team on the ice on the 1st-line with the Rangers' best forward nightly.
Sullivan will have to figure out how to unlock Zibanejad's best game if the Rangers are to find themselves in the playoffs again.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
TRENDING NOW
