ANAHEIM, Calif. — A Unique Position for Mika Zibanejad

Mika Zibanejad stands out as the lone player from the Rangers who has been with the organization every day since his initial letter back in February 2018 to the recent one he shared last week.

Today, Zibanejad finds himself at a very different point in his career compared to then. His current situation places him in an interesting role as Chris Drury, the president and general manager of the Blueshirts, undertakes the task of rebuilding the team. When this happened the first time, he was just 24 and in his second season with New York.

He reflected on that time, mentioning he didn’t feel particularly anxious about the prospect of being traded, though uncertainty loomed. Fast forward to now, and Zibanejad holds some power in his own future, thanks to a no-transfer clause he has until the final year of his contract in 2029-30.

When questioned about his commitment to the team’s future and the potential for a trade, Zibanejad responded with clarity, but in a way that kept his options open. “Honestly, I wasn’t thinking anything about it in that sense,” he said after practice at Honda Center. “We’ve discussed rebuilding, but it’s not strictly that. I’m here to commit. The situation is ever-evolving, and we’ll evaluate it as it unfolds.”

He also admitted uncertainty about when the team might turn things around, but he remains willing to help in any way possible. Zibanejad has not yet been approached regarding NMC waivers since the team struggled early last season.

Amid the anticipated roster changes, Zibanejad seems likely to remain, given his contract and the revival he’s enjoying this season. Key players like Igor Shesterkin, Adam Fox, and Zibanejad himself appear to be foundational elements moving forward. Still, officials emphasize that the Rangers haven’t ruled out different possibilities, recognizing that while some players have stronger standing than others, nothing is guaranteed.

Despite the challenges faced with the Rangers, Zibanejad found his form again after a tough 2024-25 season. He recorded two hat tricks in just 16 days, tying him for the most in franchise history. Additionally, he became the club’s all-time leading scorer on the power play during a win against Philadelphia.

Having scored nine goals in his last seven games, he heads into Monday’s match against the Ducks riding an eight-game point streak (totaling nine goals and eight assists). He tallied 21 goals in 48 games this season, leading the Rangers.

Zibanejad reflected on how much has changed, saying, “I don’t know if I mentioned last time that I’d be switching things up; it feels a bit different now. Eight years can bring a lot of change. It’s unfortunate what’s happened, but we have to focus on what we can control. Trying to have fun, finding that energy, and winning games is what matters now.”