Mika Zibanejad was just honored by the New York Rangers for a massive milestone: playing his 1,000th career NHL regular-season game. It was a beautiful moment at Madison Square Garden, but it immediately begged a harsh, lingering question in the hockey world: will he celebrate his next milestone wearing a different jersey?
Adam Proteau of The Hockey News recently poured fuel on this fire, noting that while Zibanejad has enjoyed a massive resurgence this season, racking up 30 goals and 67 points in 70 games, the reality of the Rangers’ current rebuild cannot be ignored. At 32 years old, Zibanejad is entering the back nine of his career. If he wants to lift the Stanley Cup before he hangs up his skates, staying with a rebuilding New York Rangers squad might not be the answer. GM Chris Drury held off on making a move at the March deadline, but the offseason is a different animal. Now, the biggest hurdle isn’t interest from other teams; it’s Zibanejad’s iron-clad contract.
Unpacking the $8.5 Million NMC Hurdle
My take on this situation comes down to the brutal math of NHL roster building. Zibanejad is signed through the 2029-30 season with a hefty average annual value (AAV) of $8.5 million. He holds a full no-movement clause (NMC) until that final season, which essentially puts him in the driver’s seat of his own destiny.
Last summer, the market for the veteran center was undeniably soft. Between his age, a noticeable dip in his production, and the daunting term left on his deal, opposing GMs were wary. However, his impressive turnaround this season on a struggling Rangers roster has significantly rehabbed his trade value. He has proven he is still a highly effective top-six forward who can drive play and quarterback a power play.
The Panarin Factor: Changing the Landscape
We heard the rumors last year that Drury wanted to move on from his star center, but Zibanejad understandably refused to waive his NMC. New York is his home. However, the emotional landscape of the locker room shifted drastically when his linemate and close friend, Artemi Panarin, was traded to the LA Kings earlier this season.
From my experience covering the league, loyalty to a city often wavers when your best friend and primary running mate is shipped out of town. The rebuild is fully underway, and the isolation of being the “last veteran standing” can be mentally draining. I strongly suspect that when Drury revisits this conversation in the offseason, a trade to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender will look a lot more appealing to Mika than it did 12 months ago.
Mika Zibanejad Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 1000 | 344 | 463 | 807 | 1 |
| Playoffs | 74 | 19 | 44 | 63 | 0 |
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