The Fall of Mika Zibanejad: The Fall of a Broadway Star – Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers entered this season with high expectations, fueled by a talented roster and a mix of veteran leadership and rising stars. However, they have been bad. From their poor 5v5 play to the power play that can't buy a goal and the team's defense was not at all scary, the Rangers failed on every board. The core of this struggle is Mika Zibanejad, a player who was once a pillar of the team but has become a huge liability.

Zibanejad's struggles go beyond a drop in productivity. His offensive play has declined, his defensive effort is non-existent, and his continued presence in key roles, such as on the power play and 6v5, is hurting the team greatly. To make matters worse, his contract includes a no-trade clause that ties him to the Rangers until a week before the 2030 trade deadline, when it switches to a modified no-trade clause with a 21-team restricted no-trade list. This has limited the team's ability to deal with his declining performance, creating a major setback for a franchise struggling to meet expectations.

Offense, Defense, and Special Teams: Zibanejad's All-Around Struggles

Zibanejad's struggles this season have been evident in all areas of his game, but nowhere do they stand out more than his offensive production—or lack thereof. In 5v5, where Rangers did not perform well, Zibanejad failed to provide the driving ability expected from the top center. His strikeout rates have dropped significantly compared to previous seasons, and his inability to generate consistent pressure has left his teammates unable to thrive. His performance was a big disappointment for a player who is expected to set an example in attack.

Defensively, Zibanejad has been equally problematic. His lack of effort on the backcheck and poor positioning on the defensive end contributed to the Rangers' horrendous team defense. Opposing teams take advantage of his lack of coverage, forcing the Rangers to rely heavily on scoring. The team struggles to keep pucks out of their net, and Zibanejad's defensive mistakes made things worse.

Zibanejad's poor performance eventually led to a demotion on the power play – he was moved to the second division during the Rangers' game on December 23 against the New Jersey Devils. Although this change was overdue, it emphasizes that he was not successful in the role he was successful in before. The Rangers' power play, which was 2-for-26, needed a shake-up, along with Zibanejad's removal from the senior team. it shows his inability to drive its success. Even with this adjustment, his continued presence in the 6v5 unit remains controversial, as his lack of production in those situations hurts the team.

The Ripple Effect of Zibanejad's Great Performance at Rangers

Zibanejad's struggles aren't limited to his own performance—they've had a measurable impact on the productivity of his teammates and the team as a whole. As an elite center, Zibanejad is expected to drive the game and elevate those around him, but it's been the opposite. His teammates consistently saw their offensive output decrease when paired with him, highlighting his inability to create scoring opportunities or direct a successful offensive game.

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The lack of success forced the coaching staff to shuffle the lines more often, hampering what the Rangers could achieve. Players like Brett Berard and Will Cuylle, who have shown promise in other combinations, struggle to make an impact when paired with Zibanejad. Even aging veterans are seeing their production drop around him, a trend that affects an already offense-starved team.

Zibanejad's continued presence in key units such as Power play and 6v5 not only fails to produce results but also limits the opportunities for other players to bring a new approach. The Rangers' power play has been woeful, and while his recent demotion to the second unit is a step in the right direction, it comes too late to undo the damage that's already been done.

Double Standards in Implementation

The way Rangers handled Zibanejad this season was a problem with the way he played. Despite his obvious shortcomings, he still plays an important role.

Meanwhile, other players are held to another level. Kaapo Kakko, who never quite reached his peak as a second-round pick, was nevertheless a solid middle-six player, producing close to a 40-point pace with no real power play time. Although he wasn't a dribbler, Kakko was a key contributor to his $2.4 million cap hit and played a key role in the Rangers' best 5v5 line early in the season alongside Cuylle and Filip Chytil.

Despite his consistent contributions, Kakko was benched and eventually traded, a move that seemed more focused on protecting veterans like Zibanejad than addressing real performance issues. The decision highlighted a troubling double standard: young players with tangible value are leveraged, while struggling veterans are untouched.

Although Zibanejad's immobility clause is confusing, it does not excuse the organization from exploring solutions. Getting him to have a consistent healthy scratch should be a legitimate consideration. The Rangers can't continue to give him ice time and opportunities that his game doesn't warrant. By removing him from the roster, the team can focus on players who have earned their roles and give younger players a chance to grow.

We are talking about the issue of Zibanejad Before 2030

The Rangers' struggles with Zibanejad aren't limited to this season—it's a long-term problem that will continue into 2030 unless a plan is made. Reducing his ice time is a quick step. Limiting his role to critical situations and moving him to the bottom line would reduce his impact on team performance.

An effective and much needed step can make Zibanejad always scratch healthy. Removing him from the lineup lessens his negative impact while also opening up opportunities for other players to contribute. Accountability must extend to all players, regardless of contract or reputation.

Shopping is also worth considering, however, as a rule, it should be handled during the off-season. If Zibanejad's performance continues to decline, a buyout after this summer could provide some relief. It would save $666,667 a year for five years, leaving a total of $7.38 million a year over that period. However, it will carry a charge of $333,333 for an additional five years after that. Although this option is far from ideal, it may be the only way to create some flexibility if other solutions do not seem to work.

A Problem Guardians Can't Ignore

The situation in Zibanejad is symptomatic of deeper issues within the vigilante movement. It's not just down to one player—it's about how the team handles accountability, resource allocation, and long-term planning. Zibanejad's contract ensures that this is not a problem that will go away on its own, and without meaningful change, it threatens to burden Rangers for the rest of the decade.

There are no easy answers, but pausing is a very bad option. Whether it's reducing his ice time, scratching him from the roster, or evaluating an offseason acquisition, the Rangers should prioritize performance over status. The team's competitive window requires some tough decisions, and continuing to rely on Zibanejad in a prominent role will only increase their struggles.

Rangers have a chance to reset their trajectory, but they must recognize and fix Zibanejad's problem sooner rather than later. The longer they wait, the harder it will be to move forward—and the more time they'll lose in building a team that can't compete honestly.