Player Discussion Mika Zibanejad

[xsniper11x]

I like Zibby. He’s a high quality player and a 1C in the NHL. However, I just can’t shake the feeling he isn’t a 1C on a championship team. 2C for sure, but even in his prime, I just struggle to see it and now we have to decide if we expect him to be one into his 30s.

With a team this early in their window, handing out a potentially painful LT deal to a questionable player simply bc “what else do we have?” doesn’t sound like the right move. And no, I don’t think Eichel is the answer either.

 

[Kords]

Last night when Barzal paisted Smith on the boards, Lafreniere was the guy to go after Barzal. While they were on the ice wrestling 2 Islanders piled on while Mika stood about 8 feet away and watched. A few months ago, the same thing happened with Laf and Mika didn't just stand there, he skated away.

I get that he's not a fighter, but that is some lame ass garbage. Don't want to hear about how he should get the C ever again.

 

[Kodiak]

It's amazing how quickly the perception of Zibanejad changes. He puts up 6 goals and 15 points in 8 games against the Devils, Flyers, and Sabres and we're ready to extend him long-term. He is a no-show in a huge game against the Isles (again) and now we're not so sure.

I've said this back when I was beating the drum for Eichel in the RBT. Zibanejad will be 29 when he signs his new contract. I have serious doubts about whether he will be nearly as effective when he gets to be 32+. If you look at a player like Panarin, his main attribute is his intelligence (though he does have a boatload of skill as well) so I think he can age fairly well. Compare that to Zibanejad, and we've seen in the early part of the season what he looks like when he doesn't have the speed and strength to physically dominate.

To me, it a scary proposition to offer him a 6 year contract. What do we do without him? I don't know the answer to that, but that doesn't make a long term extension the right move.

 

[xsniper11x]

Agreed on perceptions being volatile around volatile players (we see it with Kreider). That’s why we need to anchor to a few core observations. Do they consistently step up in big games? Do they battle when games get tight or wilt? Are they racking up pts consistently or primarily against weak competition?

Zib seems to consistently fall on the wrong side of all those questions.

 

[snu22fint]

Agreed on perceptions being volatile around volatile players (we see it with Kreider). That’s why we need to anchor to a few core observations. Do they consistently step up in big games? Do they battle when games get tight or wilt? Are they racking up pts consistently or primarily against weak competition?

Zib seems to consistently fall on the wrong side of all those questions.

Most star players pile up points primarily against weaker opponents. Very few players can elevate their game in the playoffs. Most players has a way lower ppg in the playoffs than in regular season and it is primarily because of facing tougher more motivated opponents. Zib hasn't got that many chances of proving himself in the playoffs yet. Don't forget that he has a WJC gold where he scored the golden goal and a WC gold where he dominated with 11p in 10 games. He has pretty much only played 2 full season of hockey in which he has been considered #1 center. Give the guy a break.

 

[Waivers]

I like Zibby. He’s a high quality player and a 1C in the NHL. However, I just can’t shake the feeling he isn’t a 1C on a championship team. 2C for sure, but even in his prime, I just struggle to see it and now we have to decide if we expect him to be one into his 30s.

With a team this early in their window, handing out a potentially painful LT deal to a questionable player simply bc “what else do we have?” doesn’t sound like the right move. And no, I don’t think Eichel is the answer either.

So if you don’t want to extend Zib or go after Eichel, what is the solution for a pure 1C? We have no one that can handle that assignment in the pipeline. I have no idea what the next “Brassard for Zibanejad” deal would look like or how it would be pulled off for that matter too.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

So if you don’t want to extend Zib or go after Eichel, what is the solution for a pure 1C? We have no one that can handle that assignment in the pipeline. I have no idea what the next “Brassard for Zibanejad” deal would look like or how it would be pulled off for that matter too.

Someone who isn't Zibanejad or Eichel?

Jesus ya'll act like these guys NEVER shake loose. They ALWAYS do.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

 

[charliemurphy]

Sooo, where is Drury trading Zib to?

 

[Jim Ramsay]

Rangers' Mika Zibanejad-Jack Eichel conundrum may get awkward

Zib looking for a 7 or 8 year deal at 10 million a year according to Brooks


I love the player, but that kind of commitment gives me pause with the concussion history

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

5x10 or bye bye

 

[DanielBrassard]

10M a year lmao. Please trade this guy.

 

[CLW]

10M a year lmao. Please trade this guy.

He has an NMC. Best Drury can do is to try to replicate what Jarmo did with Jones.

 

[DanielBrassard]

He has an NMC. Best Drury can do is to try to replicate what Jarmo did with Jones.

If the Rangers aren't going to sign him to an extension, I'm sure some team out there would and he'd waive. Or he'd go to a team that is further ahead than we are.

 

[Crease]

$10 feels like too much for Zibanejad. I’d feel better in the $8-9 range.

 

[Doctyl]

If we never played the Flyers this year, we wouldn’t be having a 8x10 discussion regarding Mika. I’m out.

 

[haveandare]

Oyy this is going to be a mess. Not at all confident in Drury’s ability to navigate potentially trading him and/or acquiring another 1C. Try like hell to get him at 5 years I’d say

 

[charliemurphy]

Sign Danault
Trade for Dvorak
Trade Zib at the TDL

 

[EdJovanovski]

$10 feels like too much for Zibanejad. I’d feel better in the $8-9 range.

I don’t know, $10 seems like a steal to me.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Sooo, where is Drury trading Zib to?

Anaheim for Deslauriers & 2022 3rd

 

[broadwayblue]

Oyy this is going to be a mess. Not at all confident in Drury’s ability to navigate potentially trading him and/or acquiring another 1C. Try like hell to get him at 5 years I’d say

Remind me why he would want to do that?

 

[haveandare]

Remind me why he would want to do that?

Because 50 million dollars and being where you want to be isn’t half bad

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Remind me why he would want to do that?

He won’t so there’s no reason to even discuss it

This is his last big deal, he’s gunning for the big bucks

Only way he’s taking 5 years is if the AAV is just absurdly high like 11-12 million per

 

[ElLeetch]

Only way he’s taking 5 years is if the AAV is just absurdly high like 11-12 million per

I'd almost rather. bridge the kids, pay Zib now, and he walks in 5 when the kids need their "real" contracts.

 

[DanielBrassard]

I just don't see how giving Zibanejad a long-term deal is a good idea. He's already declining despite his SH% going up an absurd amount over the past 2 years, his contract will start when he's 29. He's not good defensively.