Mika Zibanejad is reportedly "out there" on the trade market as the Rangers gauge his value amid struggles (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
When news broke last week that the New York Rangers were open for business on the NHL trade market, the two Rangers that were specified were captain and defenseman Jacob Trouba and veteran forward Chris Kreider.
According to a trusted NHL source, the Rangers are also letting it be known that Kreider’s linemate and star center, Mika Zibanejad, is also available on the NHL trade market.
“He’s out there for sure,” the source told RG recently. “They’re not necessarily trying to get rid of him, but they let guys know he could be available at the right price.”
According to the same source, the Rangers have had trade talks with a Western conference team involving Zibanejad.
“His name was mentioned,” the source said of the 31-year-old veteran pivot with five years left on a $68 million ($8.5 AAV) contract.
“They discussed him, but I’m not sure there’s a match there. I think it was more the Rangers continuing to gauge his value on the market.”
Zibanejad has been the target of a frustrated fan base this season despite being third in points for the Rangers with five goals and 13 assists. He also has a goal and two assists in his last two games. This all comes after Zibanejad had 16 points (3g, 13 a) in 16 playoff games last spring. But as the source pointed out, with the Rangers grossly underachieving right now, fans, media, and, sadly, sometimes, teams need a scapegoat.
On Monday night, the Rangers are coming off an embarrassing 5-1 loss to their arch-rivals, the New Jersey Devils. They’re now 1-1-0 on their current five-game homestand with their next game on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and then Sunday against the Seattle Kraken and Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
There’s a belief that something is about to give with the Rangers. They’ve been looking into different facets, like moving on from existing veterans like Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba; while also considering a coaching change that could involve Former Blackhawks head coach, Joel Quenneville.
With the team seemingly free-falling of late, there’s simply too much smoke coming out of the big apple.
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Marco D'Amico
