New York Rangers: Mika Zibanejad solidifying his case for the next “C”
After tallying a career-high in points this season and earning the Steven McDonald extra effort award, New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad is making it clear who is steering the ship.
The New York Rangers might be ready to name Mika Zibanejad their next captain finally giving that “C” patch a sweater to be stitched on…
The New York Rangers roster is a pile of miscellaneous nuts and bolts. Some could prove useful to constructing a contending hockey club, others will be scrapped. It’s the rock bottom stage of the rebuild right now and most roster decisions continue to remain in the air.
With that being said, one would think that naming the franchise’s 28th captain would be far off the radar. However, if this hopeless season has shown us anything, it is that we might finally have the franchise goal-scorer we haven’t had in Mika Zibanejad.
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Zibanejad has been the Rangers’ most potent offensive weapon during a time where the resources around him are disappearing, whether literally or performance-wise. He has shattered his career-high 51 point total with 74 on the year.
Although it is part of what being a professional is, it is not easy to keep consistency while the team is being dismantled and replaced with young talent. It is something some of the other remaining Rangers vets have struggled with this year.
But, ironically enough, in what has been the Rangers’ darkest year in recent memory, is also Zibanejad’s most defining campaign.
The last Ranger to have a 70+ point season was Marian Gaborik in 2011-12. He notched 76. With the exception of Rick Nash in 2014-15 (69 points), Mats Zuccarello has led the team every year since, with a highest of 61 points in 2015-16.
Point being is that it has been a long time since this franchise has had an elite goal scorer to represent the Rangers amongst the ranks.
It will be especially exciting to see what he does once management starts to add formidable pieces around him.
We knew Zibanejad had potential when Jeff Gorton traded Derick Brassard to Ottawa for him in the summer of 2016. But, if Zibanejad continues at this pace, it will be the best trade the Rangers have made in years – especially if he becomes captain. Hands down.
In fact, you could trace this back to signing Gaborik in the summer of 2009. A signing that Larry Brooks says is the greatest in franchise history. Gaborik would post 289 points and then be traded for Brassard in 2013, who would rack up 174 before heading to Ottawa.
Now throw in Zibanejad’s 158 and it totals out to 621. The Rangers really got the bang for their buck on Gaborik’s 5-year $37.5 million inking 10 years ago. I might have to agree with Larry.
Aside from his production, I think Zibanejad has truly established himself as a leader with the consistent work ethic and admirable locker room personality he has proved this year. He used the opportunity of this abysmal season to show what he is made of and it was the only glimmer of light in the tunnel through these 82 games.
The only other candidate for the captaincy is Chris Kreider. But given that he has one year left on his contract, and management is going to have to make their decision with him this summer, it is questionable if he will be around come September.
Kreider’s play really dipped towards the end and it has left the Rangers in a pickle with their decision. They absolutely cannot wait until the deadline again and put the team through another wave of agony.
They also cannot wait because for every one more game he plays, his value changes and it is not a chance they can take.
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It’s either commit now, or find a suitor. If Kreider is still a Ranger come preseason, I still think Zibanejad has made the more compelling case not only on play, but age. The next captain should be around for a good duration and be at his peak during that time.