The New York Rangers Reportedly Have Massive Plans For Their Newest Longest-Tenured Player
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After a dismal 2024-25, the New York Rangers need to rebound this season. One way the team can ensure that is if Mike Sullivan finds the right chemistry in the lineup, and one way to ensure Madison Square Garden is enthusiastic is to keep Mika Zibanejad productive. Could he do so on the wing?
The New York Rangers have given Mika Zibanejad a new lease on life, thanks to flexibility in coaching.
Near the end of the 2024-25 season, Zibanejad had found a home on a line with JT Miller and Will Cuylle. It seems he had finally crossed an impasse when Miller unlocked production that was missing throughout the year.
With NHL Insider Dan Rosen's latest interview with Mike Sullivan, he got the scoop on what is in store for the forward's next season.
Instead of putting him back where he wasn't working in the center, he'll embrace the change we've seen in the lineup last year.
«As part of that conversation one of the things he expressed to me is even though he lined up on the wing on the face-offs, he felt they [Zibanejad and Miller] were interchangeable in the sense that they could read off each other,» Sullivan said.
«They both have a comfort level playing down low in the defensive zone. They both have a comfort level in the face-off circle with one being a righty and one being a lefty. He expressed that to me. I would envision us exploring that combination to see if they can potentially build on the chemistry that they've already built
«They both have a comfort level playing down low in the defensive zone. They both have a comfort level in the face-off circle with one being a righty and one being a lefty. He expressed that to me. I would envision us exploring that combination to see if they can potentially build on the chemistry that they've already built
Last year, he'd scored only 62 points (20-42), a decline from years prior, where his career-high was 91 points.
Mika Zibanejad's outlook for 2025-25
For the Rangers forward, Mike Sullivan wants to embrace his strengths, and that means ensuring the chemistry between Miller and Zibanejad thrives.
The forward projects as the 2nd-line, right-wing flanking JT Miller, but if he improves, could we see a change?
«Those are three pretty high-quality centermen,» Sullivan said. «I think it's going to play itself out, but certainly the conversations I've had with Mika to this point I would envision us exploring keeping Mika with J.T.»
The New York Rangers have the benefit of flexibility, given that the forward core is deep enough to move players around.
For Sullivan, it is imperative that he finds the right line combinations to ensure that the former Rangers center produces like he used to. That may take a slight adjustment, but Zibanejad is taking it in stride.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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