The New York Rangers spent the part of last season and the start of the offseason tearing down much of what helped the franchise win the Presidents' Trophy in 2024.
Veterans Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba, Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren and K’Andre Miller have all been dealt away by general manager Chris Drury in the last seven months.
As the organization keeps pivoting from a disappointing season in which the Rangers failed to make the playoffs, veteran forward Mika Zibanejad could be the next casualty of Drury's retooling.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman addressed Zibanejad's situation on Sunday's episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast.
“It’s very clear (the Rangers) are working with Mika Zibanejad," Friedman said. "(Head coach Mike) Sullivan (went) to meet him. They're trying to figure out a way to make it work, (and) avoid the noise.
“You never know if it’ll continue, but the bottom line is, this season is not starting the way the last two did (with trade rumors and speculation).”
Zibanejad, under contract for another five years at an $8.5 million cap hit, holds a full no-move clause for the entirety of his contract, giving him control over his fate.
“(Zibanejad) has not been asked to submit teams (he would accept a trade to) or waive (his no-trade clause),” Friedman said. “Nothing can happen without Zibanejad’s control and approval.”
As Friedman noted, and in a sign of confidence and commitment to keeping the veteran forward around, Sullivan flew to Sweden this summer to meet with Zibanejad.
That meeting was first revealed by Irma Zibanejad, Mika's wife, on Instagram, per the New York Post's Mollie Walker.
"We just had Mika’s new coach [Mike Sullivan] here at our home; he flew over from New York recently," Irma said. "We also just got our new home in New York.
"I’m always shocked about how newspapers just spread things without considering the source."
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