NY Rangers Rumors: Updated Intel on Zibanejad's Future

Latest intel on Mika Zibanejad suggests he won't be traded.

Rumors are swirling around the New York Rangers on a number of fronts, and longtime center Mika Zibanejad is one of the players whose name has been batted around on the trade front.

The 32-year-old has spent the last nine years of his 14-year career with the Blueshirts, and he's only going into the 4th year of his eight-year deal with New York, at an $8.5 million cap hit. He has a full no-move clause.

Is it possible that a trade is in the offing this summer?

Two very interesting bits of intel have been dropped by insider Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast on Wednesday that greatly suggest that Zibanejad is likely not going anywhere.

He has not been asked to submit teams (he would go to) or to waive (his no-move). Remember, he has control over this. He has the no-move clause, nothing can happen without Zibanejad's approval.

So first up, there's nothing going on that would suggest they've asked him to consider a trade. Secondly, some behind-the-scenes activity further suggests that the new coaching staff, headed up by Mike Sullivan, has every intention of having Zibanejad around this coming season.

His wife said the other day that Mike Sullivan had flown out there to Sweden to meet with him. And I think that that doesn't happen unless that is the initial goal here (to keep him). Sullivan wouldn't take all that time, the Rangers wouldn't send him out there if their goal was to get rid of the player.

What are the Rangers' plans for Mika Zibanejad?

As Friedman also notes, there was the hint of some chemistry last season with Zibanejad playing on the wing with newly-acquired center JT Miller, and perhaps that could be an answer in how they move forward.

"Put him with Miller right from the start, try to make it work, and that is what is going on here," said Friedman in conclusion, "helping to try to get Zibanejad back to the player that he has shown he can be."

And that player was a pretty good one. Although he just had his least productive season with New York in seven years, the two-way player does have eight straight 20-goal seasons in the Big Apple, and has averaged nearly 30 goals a season over that span (29.5). In 649 games with the Rangers, he has 250 goals, 339 assists and 589 points, with a plus/minus rating of +33.

From all accounts, it appears he'll be maintaining his New York residence for the 2025-26 season.