Mika Zibanejad, Part II : "Zibby Ki-Yay" Die Hard Theme Edition

[RasmusAndersson]

Can Zibanejed play RW or is he only a Centre?

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Can Zibeanjed play RW or is he only a Centre?

It looks odd.

 

[branch]

Good game from him tonight. Looks to be using all of his assets a bit better the last few games. Size, speed, shot. #zibbyturntup

 

[pm88]

I still think he can be great for us. Hopefully he can go on a hot streak soon

 

[Minister of Offence]

Not slow motion anymore

 

[Icelevel]

I liked zbad's set tonight.

 

[Sun God Nika]

I like Mika Zibanejad.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Here comes Zibanejad.

Still so early to consider anything with him. He's 21 and a powerforward center.

 

[JohnTonelliRises]

He was scary tonight, thought we were surely done when he scored.

Lots of potential there from the limited amount I've seen him of him.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Yeah he played really well tonight. He's a guy that has to hit the neutral zone with speed. And have the confidence to carry he puck. At least he's shooting a bit more it seems like.

 

[Benjamin]

The healthy scratching woke him up.

 

[Proust*]

He needs to play like mini-Ovechkin to be effective.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

The healthy scratching woke him up.

Nothing to do with being a healthy scratch and everything to do with finally giving him a left winger that can play with speed, maintain puck possession and shoot the puck.

As a right handed center making forehand passes is natural, unfortunately with Michalek on his left side Zib was forced to make most of his passes on the backhand side if he hoped for puck possession and O-zone time.

Not an easy task for a young 21 year old playing against tougher opposition than he has experienced on a nightly basis.

If Mac leaves them together for a stretch that line will become the most productive unit on the team IMO.

Zib is talented, however his development path has been significantly different than players like Lazar, Hoffman or Stone, so it isn't surprising there are up and downs.

(ie Zib played 52 games as an 17-18 year old in the SEL in two years, at the same point in Lazar's development he played 130.)

It is just going to take him a little longer to figure out what works best for him, gain the necessary confidence level and be consistent.

 

[pm88]

who was he playing with yesterday? was it hoffman?

 

[Do Make Say Think]

who was he playing with yesterday? was it hoffman?

Hoffman and Ryan

 

[Icelevel]

Hoffman and Ryan

hoff is the new alfie. gets his line going

 

[Sens92]

Nothing to do with being a healthy scratch and everything to do with finally giving him a left winger that can play with speed, maintain puck possession and shoot the puck.

As a right handed center making forehand passes is natural, unfortunately with Michalek on his left side Zib was forced to make most of his passes on the backhand side if he hoped for puck possession and O-zone time.

Not an easy task for a young 21 year old playing against tougher opposition than he has experienced on a nightly basis.

If Mac leaves them together for a stretch that line will become the most productive unit on the team IMO.

Zib is talented, however his development path has been significantly different than players like Lazar, Hoffman or Stone, so it isn't surprising there are up and downs.

(ie Zib played 52 games as an 17-18 year old in the SEL in two years, at the same point in Lazar's development he played 130.)

It is just going to take him a little longer to figure out what works best for him, gain the necessary confidence level and be consistent.

Disagree, him playing with slower wingers did not impact his willingness to go into the corners and maintain and aggressive. Although his chemistry with Hoffman is certainly making him play better, the healthy scratch definitely lit a fire under his arse.

 

[Micklebot]

Disagree, him playing with slower wingers did not impact his willingness to go into the corners and maintain and aggressive. Although his chemistry with Hoffman is certainly making him play better, the healthy scratch definitely lit a fire under his arse.

I thought his play had been improving since before the healthy scratch tbh. Last night was his best game though.

 

[DrEasy]

I see him and Cowen developing more slowly than other players, basically growing into their bodies and gradually learning their player identity and what they can and can't do. Ziba can also still get bigger than this. He could take at least two different paths: Holik or Bonk.

 

[Ice-Tray]

He was likely scratched for a specific part of his game the coaches felt needed direction. Being scratched isn't a time out. The player doesn't face the corner, and he doesn't sit alone.

The player, especially the kids, watch the game unfold while being taught what something should or shouldn't look like. It's a little more level of watching game tape with the coach.

Zib was starting to play better, but the staff likely felt that he needed an adjustment "on the fly" to make sure that his rise in play stayed on the right path.

Michalek scratch is a "bad play" scratch. The coaching staff is sending a message to him, and he likely doesn't need in game coaching to know what he needs to improve on.

Youngster scratches are more educational. Not a punishment for bad play, rather a firm focus on development. These are not a bad things, and certainly nothing that should be complained about. It really is akin to berating the coaches for daring to teach the young players things during a game.

Zib HAS been getting better and was great last game, let's say, for now, that the training and development is working, and he seems to be responding to whatever is happening.

 

[Cosmix]

Disagree, him playing with slower wingers did not impact his willingness to go into the corners and maintain and aggressive. Although his chemistry with Hoffman is certainly making him play better, the healthy scratch definitely lit a fire under his arse.

My take is that the healthy scratch and a chat about why he was scratched, plus perhaps some video review showed him that he had to start using his speed and go on the offensive. I think he was playing too defensively and likely thought that was required or he would be demoted (i.e., fear). Whatever it was, it worked. He was skating much faster and going on the offense, not hanging back.

I also think playing with Hoffman and Ryan was a contributing factor as he was now playing with players who can skate, shhot and score!

 

[Quo]

Coach actually said they wanted him to start 'dictating the play' more and start asserting himself. He had been relying too much on safe dump in plays before so it makes a bit of sense. Just smash'em in the face Mika.

 

[Sensinitis]

Slowly getting to 0.5 PPG.

 

[Cosmix]

He was likely scratched for a specific part of his game the coaches felt needed direction. Being scratched isn't a time out. The player doesn't face the corner, and he doesn't sit alone.

The player, especially the kids, watch the game unfold while being taught what something should or shouldn't look like. It's a little more level of watching game tape with the coach.

Zib was starting to play better, but the staff likely felt that he needed an adjustment "on the fly" to make sure that his rise in play stayed on the right path.

Michalek scratch is a "bad play" scratch. The coaching staff is sending a message to him, and he likely doesn't need in game coaching to know what he needs to improve on.

Youngster scratches are more educational. Not a punishment for bad play, rather a firm focus on development. These are not a bad things, and certainly nothing that should be complained about. It really is akin to berating the coaches for daring to teach the young players things during a game.

Zib HAS been getting better and was great last game, let's say, for now, that the training and development is working, and he seems to be responding to whatever is happening.

Regarding Michalek, I think he does need some in game coaching because he is not earning his salary and needs to get more involved. Plus some out of game video review and suggestions for improvement. So far I don't see much if any benefit from the healthy scratch, so I think a few more healthy scratch games plus serious coaching chats are required.

 

[HSF]

Zibanejad line will go only as far as he takes it. It is up to him control the play being the center

He needs to play like he did last game no matter his wingers