Mika Zibanejad Contract Talks “Wide Open”
New York Rangers are only a few days away from July 1st when free agency opens. Now they will have to have some serious discussion over the next few days, as to how they will fill the holes in the lineup. These are the holes left by trading Derek Stepan, Antti Raanta, and the buyout of Dan Girardi. Sometimes a team’s best and worst off season signings are the ones they make “In-House”.
Rangers having the gap at center with the loss of Stepan, bringing back Mika Zibanejad is even more crucial. Today in a interview with Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton, he was asked where the team was as far as signing Mika. He replied “We’re wide open it could be a short deal or could be a long deal“. Now, I’m not sure what Mika might fetch on a long term deal but right now, it is believe that Mika could make somewhere in the 4.5-5.5 range next season. I’d have to imagine, because of the age and the upside he might want the 5.5 for say 2-3 years. Remember had Zibanejad not broken his leg this season, he was on pace for a career best. Now the difference between a 50pt or 70pt player is huge when it comes to a contract year. If I’m Gorton I try my best to lock him up for 4-6 Years in the 4.5 – 5.25 range.
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