Mika Zibanejad’s role with the New York Rangers seems to be decreasing.
On Sunday night against the St. Louis Blues, Zibanejad recorded 13:04 minutes, his lowest total since Oct. 27, 2019.
While Zibanejad’s six goals, 15 assists and 21 points in 30 games don’t look all that bad, his play has certainly regressed this season.
The 31-year-old forward has looked slower on the ice and is yet to show the same offensive explosion that we are accustomed to seeing from him.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman questions why the Rangers cut the veteran forward’s minutes as he suggests it’s possible the team is trying to make him uncomfortable.
“Zibanejad has a full no move,” Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. “You always look at this, any player could get benched or move down the lineup at any time, but these 13 minutes on Sunday night, the question is is this a one off or is this real? Is this the Rangers trying to make Zibanejad uncomfortable?”
“Is that a thing now? Is that a one off until he plays better or is that the Rangers trying to make him uncomfortable to see if in any way shape or form he either A starts to play better because ultimately that’s what everybody wants, or does it get to a point where he says if this is the way it’s going to be I’d rather go somewhere else? They did what they had to do with Trouba, not everybody liked it, but they did it. They did what they had to do with Goodrow and people didn’t like it, but they did it.”
The Rangers have lost 10 out of their last 13 games. Through these recent struggles, it’s been heavily rumored that Rangers general manager Chris Drury is looking to shake up the team.
New York already traded Jacob Trouba and other players including Chris Kreider, Kaapo Kakko and Ryan Lindgren have been mentioned in trade rumors.
Zibanejad will likely not get traded over the course of this season due to his no-move clause, but this situation with his role diminishing is something to watch out for.
